HUNDREDS of people descended on a family’s garden to enjoy live music while raising money for two good causes.

Caroline Nash organised the second Nashfest in her garden in Shaw Lane, Baughurst, to drum up funds for St Michael’s Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The 43-year-old, whose sister Michelle Loverance died of breast cancer 10 years ago, aged just 32, started the event to give something back to the charities.

The St Michael’s Hospice volunteer said it was her friend Caroline Wyatt who first planted the idea for the festival in her mind.

She said: “She was raising money for Macmillan and she said how cool would it be if we could get a band to do an outside concert. I have got a large garden so we decided to do it here, planned it at the beginning of June and sold the tickets within two weeks of advertising.”

The mother-of-three said: “Afterwards I thought ‘I’m not doing that again’ – but we had such a buzz we decided to organise it again this year. We sold 450 tickets within two weeks, and there’s now a waiting list for tickets.”

This year Mrs Nash hired in a stage, fencing, a hog roast and portable toilets for the event, and set up a Pimm’s tent to keep visitors well refreshed throughout the day.

This year’s event was even bigger than last year, with entertainment including face painting and a silent disco.

Bands took to the stage at 12.45pm, with acts performing back-to-back until midnight.

Mrs Nash, who had to apply for a special events licence from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to hold the festival, said: “It’s hard work but it’s all last-minute because a lot of it you can’t do until nearer the time.”

Last year’s event raised more than £3,000 for charity, and Mrs Nash hopes that the 2014 fundraiser will generate £5,000.