THE family friends of a toddler who died on holiday in Turkey hosted a festival in her memory.

Julie Peacock and her partner Craig Rothwell, from Braintree, set up the Rothcock Festival in aid of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

They chose the cause in memory of their friend’s daughter, Lily Gibson, who died while on a family holiday in Turkey last year.

Lily was staying at the Bodrum Holiday Resort with her parents when she began to feel unwell.

Her dad took the three-year-old to a walk-in centre where she was given over-the-counter painkillers, but Lily died in their hotel room.

Rothcock Festival took place in Coldnailhurst Avenue, Braintree, to raise funds for the children’s hospice.

The couple began the festival last year in aid of Macmillan, but this year chose the cause in memory of their friend’s daughter.

The festival, which got its name through a combination of Julie and her partner’s surnames, took place over the bank holiday weekend with lots of volunteers and friends and family coming together in memory of Lily.

Julie said: “It was a very emotional day for everyone, we got permission from the council to do a balloon release in memory of Lily.

“Last year was such a success we wanted to make this year bigger and better.

“So many acts volunteered and didn’t ask for anything in return and we are so grateful.

“There too many names to mention who worked hard and were all brilliant.”

The day included a range of activities from henna tattoos to musicians and magicians.

T-shirts and teddy bears were also on sale and a barbecue was very popular, taking nearly £600.

The event itself raised a total of £2,000 for the children’s hospice.

Friends and family were also invited to camp for the evening at the festival with a total of six large tents pitched up for the night

Julie and Craig are planning to grow the festival and put it on for a third year next year, after the success they had this year.

Julie added: “We don’t know what charity we will be fundraising for yet, but we are hoping to do a beach theme next year.

“We will definitely be putting it on again, it has been such a big success.”

A special thank you was given to all the organisers for their hard work.