Music festival in memory of Georgia to help buy minibus

Former Queen Elizabeth II School pupil, who died from a seizure. Her mum is raising money in her memory to buy a school minibus - picture submitted

A Horsham mother is running a charity music festival in memory of her daughter next weekend.

Tracey Thorne, of Pinetops, lost her daughter, Georgia Barnes, to epilepsy in January 2012. The 16-year-old died asleep from a severe seizure.

At Georgia’s Music Festival on Saturday July 12 there will be eight bands and music groups playing, a raffle and children’s entertainment. Eight lucky people will win the chance to ride in a helicopter.

All the money raised at the event at Mallards House, Sayers Common, will go towards buying a £46,000 minibus for the Queen Elizabeth II School for children with severe disabilities. It was where Georgia went for 13 years of her life.

Georgia developed encephalitis aged nine months leaving her with brain damage and causing epilepsy.

Tracey said: “She couldn’t communicate in speech, but did in her own way. She was nice to people , kind natured. Everyone who came into contact with her adored her.

“We did everything with her. She had a fulfilled life. It was really unexpected.