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The Molly McLaren Foundation, in memory of student murdered in Chatham, to host final MollyFest in Gravesend

05:00, 15 April 2024

updated: 13:06, 15 April 2024

A popular music festival held in memory of murdered student Molly McLaren will be coming to an end this year.

The 23-year-old was killed in June 2017 in the car park of the Dockside Outlet shopping centre, in Chatham, by her ex-boyfriend Joshua Stimpson from Wouldham.

Molly McLaren was murdered in 2017 by her ex-boyfriend
Molly McLaren was murdered in 2017 by her ex-boyfriend

He was found guilty of her murder and jailed for life the following year after he repeatedly stabbed her as she sat in her car.

Following her death family and friends set up The Molly McLaren Foundation to help people with eating disorders, aiming to continue the work Molly had started.

Molly, from Cobham, had suffered from bulimia. The University of Kent student had been writing a blog to share her experience and help others.

The organisation teamed up with Maidstone-based charity ReWrite Your Story which specialises in providing one-to-one counselling for people struggling with their mental health.

It also ran an annual music festival known as MollyFest to raise money.

The team who have organised MollyFest. Picture: Tony Jones
The team who have organised MollyFest. Picture: Tony Jones

However, last year the foundation announced it would be “winding down” and has since confirmed this year will be the last MollyFest.

Molly’s dad, Doug McLaren said: “Molly was a young girl tragically killed in her youth.

“The charity has, however, run its course and we have decided to wind it down this year.

“We are confident that the mission goals as set out to the charity commission have been satisfied and all the trustees should be proud.

“Sadly, this year’s festival will be the last but we are sure it will be the best.”

A young festival goer in 2019 Picture: Tony Jones
A young festival goer in 2019 Picture: Tony Jones

The final MollyFest will be held on Saturday, May 25, at the Old Gravesendians Rugby Football Club, in Bronte View, Gravesend, between 11am and 10pm.

There will be entertainment from DJ Colin, Peter Azzopardi, Camden Shades, Contrand, TOOTnSKAMEN and Alex Nicole.

Tickets cost £20. You can find out more information and buy tickets online here.

The foundation has raised around £100,000 since it was founded in 2018.

Announcing the winding down of the charity last year, Molly’s parents said the foundation had sponsored 24 people, adding: “Thanks to everyone who has supported our charity.”

Molly went to Mayfield Grammar School in Gravesend and North Kent College in Dartford.

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