A Southampton music festival in memory of a woman who died from cancer is set to return this month, after raising nearly £25,000 for charity in the past three years.

Returning for a fourth straight year, The House That Ash Built will be held at the Miller’s Pond Pub in Sholing on Saturday, July 27, from 2pm to 11.30pm, with a selection of DJs playing house music throughout the day.

The day will raise vital funds for Mountbatten Hampshire in memory of a 34-year-old woman who lost her life to cancer.

Ashleen Bateman was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2021.

With the help of her husband, Dan, and close friend Gareth Nichols, she realised a lifelong dream of becoming a DJ, by creating a house music festival in her own name.

Sadly, Ashleen, from West End, died just one week later in July 2021.

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Last year, The House That Ash Built saw more than 250 attendees at the Miller’s Pond pub garden and raised more than £6,000 for hospice charity Mountbatten Hampshire.

The line-up for 2024 promises to be even better as Southampton-based DJs Jamie Ryves, CARUANA and DJ RK take to the stage.

Event organiser Dan Bateman, who was Ashleen’s husband, said the festival was a fitting way to remember his wife who was the life and soul of every party.

He said: “Ashleen was an avid house music fan and dreamed of becoming a DJ.

“She finally got her wish before she died in 2021, thanks to our close friend Gareth who helped make the first festival happen and continues to drive it forward.

“Ever since then we’ve promised to make the next one even bigger and better – and the summer festival of 2024 will be the best yet.”

Dan added: “As well as remembering Ashleen, we wanted to help raise funds for Mountbatten Hampshire, who cared for Ashleen at the end of her life.

“Over the past three years, we’ve raised nearly £25,000 for charity, including last year’s successful £6,018.68 raised from ticket sales and donations, which has all gone to Mountbatten Hampshire.”

Next Saturday’s event has already sold more than 300 tickets, in what is expected to be a sold-out afternoon.