A YORK charity that helps adults with learning difficulties may have its funds wiped out after failing to sell a single ticket for a fundraising event.

Vision Of Life charity worker Martin Taylor said he was beginning to panic as the celebrity memorabilia auction at Askham Bryan College on May 9 looms ever closer.

The event will be headlined by comedian Jimmy Cricket, below, who is taking time out of his tour to perform for a cut-price fee, and will include items for auction such as signed CDs, television and music goods, and a dress worn by model Nell McAndrew, right.

With tickets priced at £12.50, at least 40 must be sold to cover fees and advertising costs. It had been hoped that the event would raise enough money to employ a part-time assistant to help Mr Taylor with his work. The charity provides support seven days a week and organises social events and conferences.

Now it looks likely that the charity will be left in an even more desperate financial situation.

Mr Taylor said: "We have got to pay Jimmy Cricket £300 and then we have got the advertising to pay for.

"It would leave us completely high and dry - it will clear us out completely.

"The idea was to raise enough to cover running costs and employ an assistant to help me because we are in such demand.

"It hasn't actually worked out that way and we just don't know where we have gone wrong with this."

The event will run from 7.30pm until midnight on Thursday, May 9, and includes and audience with Jimmy Cricket, the auction, a disco and bar.

Tickets costing £12.50 are available from York Tourist Information Centre in St Leonard's Place on 01904 621756 or at the Theatre Royal, York, on 01904 623568.

Updated: 11:54 Friday, April 19, 2002