A musical extravaganza marked what would have been Molly McLaren’s 25th birthday.

Molly was murdered in June 2017 at Chatham Dockside, aged just 23. The Molly McLaren Foundation was set up in her memory to help people with eating disorders, as Molly had battled bulimia.

Last year, to mark her birthday, the group arranged a festival at the Leather Bottle pub in Cobham where Molly used to work.

It was such a success, it was back this year and hundreds turned up.

Trustee, and Molly’s friend Amy Lee said: “The number of people there exceeded our expectations, At one point people leaving were donating their wristbands so we could resell them to people queueing to get in.

“We had live bands and DJs, stalls and a children’s area. A friend from Co-op funeral care has been growing lots of tiny sunflowers, so people bought them to take home. It’s the charity logo and has become really synonymous with Molly.”

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Ambassadors from eating disorder charities BEAT and Re-write Your Story were there so supporters could learn how their donations are helping.

Amy said: “We’re about to sponsor a second person’s eating disorder therapy. We’ve also got a new project called BEAT on the ground, which will educate teachers and staff in Medway schools on how to spot eating disorders.

“We want people to remember the person Molly was, not what happened to her.”

Molly, who lived in Cobham, was studying at the University of Kent Medway campus when she died. She had also previously attended Mayfield Grammar School in Gravesend and North Kent College in Dartford.

The foundation is hosting a charity football match next Sunday at Maidstone Football Club. To get involved email info@themollymclarenfoundation.co.uk.

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