“It’s such a fitting tribute” says Dan as festival set up in his wife’s honour raises £6k for Hants hospice

In 2021, Ashleen Bateman was diagnosed with terminal cancer – but she and husband Dan were determined to make the most of the time she still had left.

Together with close friend Gareth ‘Chunk’ Nichols, the couple were able to fulfil Ashleen’s lifelong dream of becoming a DJ, holding a house music festival in her name.

Although Ashleen sadly passed away just one week later, Dan has continued to celebrate her legacy through ‘The House That Ash Built’, with another successful event in 2022 and then again this July.

“Ashleen was always the life and soul of every party and lit up every room she walked into”, said Dan.

“She was an avid house music fan, and I’m so proud that we managed to make her dream come true, even though it was the last time many of her family and friends would see her.

“She wouldn’t want to be remembered any other way!”

This year’s event saw 250 people turning up to the Miller’s Pond pub garden in Sholing for another day of music, drinks and dance.

Together they managed to raise more than £6,000 for hospice charity Mountbatten Hampshire, bringing the total amount raised over the last three years for both the hospice and Cancer Research UK to £22,000.

Following her diagnosis with a cancer of unknown primary, Ashleen underwent surgery and aggressive chemotherapy, but treatment was ultimately unsuccessful.

It was Mountbatten Hampshire, then, who supported Dan and Ashleen through her end-of-life care and ensured that her final days were as comfortable as possible.

“The House That Ash Built is such a fitting tribute to Ashleen”, Dan added.

“She just wanted to raise money to help others in need, even when she was running out of hope herself.

“Combining her love of house music, whilst raising money for charity, is the perfect legacy.”

Mountbatten Hampshire is the county’s oldest and largest hospice, having supported members of the community with life-limiting illnesses and their families for more than 45 years.

Rebecca Woodhead, Campaigns and Community Fundraiser, added: “We’re so grateful to Ashleen’s friends and family for their continued support of Mountbatten through this very special event.

“It’s such a privilege to be involved.”

“This is an amazing amount of money, which will help us continue our work supporting the growing number of people who need our care.”

• mountbatten-hampshire.org.uk