The parents of a man who died from a genetic disorder have issued a plea for a local celebrity or sportsman to conduct the auction at a pool night in his memory.

Christopher Chandler, pictured, suffered from a mitochondrial disease, a disorder in which cells are unable to burn food and oxygen to generate energy and it can cause severe kidney problems.

He was just 24 when he died on January 8, 2008, and on Saturday, January 14 Christopher will be remembered by family and friends in a killer pool night to help raise money for research into the disorder.

The pool night, to be held at Spixworth Social Club, Crostwick Lane, Spixworth, will include a raffle and auction and has become an annual fundraiser in the village. Christopher's mum, Marilyn and dad, Graham, help organise the event and hope to get someone to hold this year's auction.

Mrs Chandler said: 'We would love to have a local celebrity who was available and willing to give up an hour of their valuable time to be auctioneer. It's a nice night, a fun night and there will be a raffle and auction with proceeds going to the Lily Foundation.

'It's a charity close to our hearts because it is to fund research into mitochondrial disorder which is what Christopher had.'

Even though he was on dialysis for a year before he died at the Jack Pryor Unit at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH), his parents said he still kept his fighting spirit.

As previously reported, Christopher's parents made an emotional trip to Old Trafford to scatter their son's ashes at the home of his beloved football team Manchester United.

The first pool night in 2009 was won by Christopher's brother Ben, helped raise more than �3,000 for the renal unit at the NNUH.

Anyone who wants to attend the pool night can go to Spixworth Social Club on January 14 from 8.30pm onwards. Entrants will compete for the Christopher Chandler Memorial Trophy. Entry is �1.

Are you a celebrity who can help out? Call Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk