Music festival to be held in Erin Madden's memory

Outwood Academy pupil Erin died after getting into trouble in the water in Carr Mill Dam on Thursday, June 1.

Her death shocked the community of St Helens, which has raised thousands towards the cost of her funeral, which was held on Saturday, June 10.

One person who was particularly affected by the story is Joanne Cummings, a social worker and aesthetician from Sutton who decided to hold an event at The Bull and Dog in Erin’s memory to raise money for the family.

After posting online, hundreds of people got in touch offering their support, with her having to turn offers for acts to perform away as the event has grown and grown.

She said: “The brilliant and generous community of St Helens always comes together in a crisis. I’m proud to be from here and we as a town are really family orientated.

“What happened to Erin can happen to anyone, I’m aware with my kids of the dangers of water in the summer and winter and we all know that no matter what advice you tell children, sometimes accidents happen.

“This tragedy has really shaken this community, but people want to help and give back and I’ve had so many offers from people from across Merseyside to help or perform on the day it’s just snowballed.

“I’ve never held an event before, I didn’t know Erin or her family, but I just wanted to do something, and I’m made up and overwhelmed actually at the response.”

The event, on Saturday, July 1, will star 2015 X Factor contestant Kiera Weathers and other musicians and performers including magicians, the line-up of which will be announced next week.

The event – which aims to be family friendly – will also include ice cream vans, bouncy castles, sweet stalls, food vans, face painting and more.

Tickets are £10 for adults and £5 for children and can be purchased now via Joanne on social media or inside The Bull and Dog pub.

Online tickets will soon be released.