LibFest 2019, in memory of Liberty Baker, comes to The Leys, Witney

LibFest 2019 will takeover The Leys once again after a year out, with organisers hoping to raise thousands of pounds for charity through an array of music, sport and entertainment.

The event takes place almost five years to the day since the 14-year-old was killed by a dangerous driver while walking to school on June 30, 2014.

As always, the community has rallied around the 18-strong LibFest team, and Liberty's aunt, Michala Matthewson, said the family was overwhelmed by the support.

She said: "The work the team do is nothing short of incredible.

"The community support is amazing, from businesses sponsoring the stage to shops selling our products."

LibFest took a year off in 2018, as maintenance work on The Leys football pitch meant organisers could not hold the event on the closest weekend to the anniversary of the Henry Box School pupil's death.

Ms Matthewson said: "The date is imperative, so it wouldn't have been right.

"The anniversary is just as important every single year. People say as time goes on things get easier, but I'm not sure that's the case.

"We'll be feeling all sorts of different emotions.

"None of us look forward to the anniversary but we'll definitely be celebrating the life of a beautiful little girl."

The LibFest team has promised an 'even more special' festival this year, with more food stalls than ever before and several local musicians playing to the crowds.

It will begin with the traditional 5k fun run at 10.30am, allowing Witney Park Run participants to get involved.

Henry Box has let the festival use its school field and grounds for the fun run, meaning no roads through the town will be closed.

Several other businesses and organisations are supporting the festival, with hundreds of pounds raised from merchandise sold at Tesco in Witney.

The event's generators and fencing are provided for free, while bands, including headliners The Shapes, will play free of charge.

Meanwhile, the town's Barclays has offered to match pound for pound all LibFest merchandise sold in-branch - with proceeds going to the festival's primary charity, SeeSaw.

Other chosen charities this year are Epilepsy Research UK and Brainstorm, which raises funds for brain tumour research.

The festival's three editions in 2015, 2016 and 2017 raised £72,000 overall and organisers are hoping to break the £100,000 mark this year.

With good weather expected, LibFest team member Faye Carrick said the group was optimistic.

She said: "I feel really proud that we can put this on, even though we're just a small group of volunteers.

"What still amazes us is how the community steps in to help. We've held LibFest in torrential, Glastonbury-style rain before so we're prepared for anything."

The festival website, designed by sixth form students at Bartholomew School, Eynsham, is at libertybaker.co.uk/