A FESTIVAL dedicated to a toddler who died this year looks to have raised more than £10,000 for charity.

The Yeah Baby! festival, which took place in Abingdon on Friday and Saturday, was set up by James Phillpott in 2009 to raise money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital, Chox, after a friend’s son was given life-saving treatment there.

But months later his own daughter, Amber, had to be cared for at the hospital after she was diagnosed with leukaemia.

She died earlier this year aged 15 months and Mr Phillpott, 36, from Abingdon, vowed to dedicate this year’s festival to the tot.

He said: “The festival was absolutely brilliant.

“We are still counting the money but we have collected so much, it’s incredible.

“The bands were fantastic too and the Market Square had a constant throughput of people.”

He said he believed his daughter was watching over the festival goers.

Mr Phillpott said: “I think Amber spurred the event on from where she was.

“I think a lot of people turned out in respect for her, and also because it’s such a great cause.”

Music was provided by Boy Le Monti, The Corsairs, The Erin Bardwell Collective and The Lost Dogs. A drumming workshop was also held with about 50 youngsters having a go on the bongos.

During the festivities at the Market Square on Saturday, a moment’s silence was held for Amber.

Throughout the two days, about 2,000 people came to the festival.

Mark Loveridge, from Cowley, was performing on the double bass with his band The Corsairs.

He said: “I thought it was a good response and a good turnout, and it was obviously for a good cause.

“It was great to be part of that.”

Money will be split between Leukaemia Research, Oxford Children’s Hospital, and Ronald McDonald House, accommodation the Ronald McDonald charity provides so parents can stay with their children during treatment at the hospital.

Last year’s festival raised £3,700 for Chox and Ronald McDonald House, while organisers had already taken £3,000 on Friday in donations and raffle prizes before the main event began.

Fifty per cent of the money raised will go to Leukaemia Research, with 30 per cent going to Chox and the remainder to Ronald McDonald House.