2nd May to 4th May 2025 Charisworth Farm, Blandford, Dorset
Teddy Rocks Festival raises money for children's cancer charities.
They each joined us at our 2024 festival. Here's their experiences in their own words.
Ted Newton was lost, aged 10, to Ewing Sarcoma - a very rare bone cancer.
Teddy20 is a children's cancer charity founded by Ted's brother Tom Newton and his family.
Together with the festival, we introduced 'Operation Rockstars,' welcoming families we have supported as our special VIP guests. These families were treated to a special experience, including transportation in a luxury tour bus, backstage tours and various other perks throughout the day. Small gestures that have given these families incredible memories that will last forever.
Our catering team - supported by Wincanton Racecourse, Nikki and her Raggy Dolls, Justine from Spoons of Dorset, and Sharon from the Grange Care Home - provided excellent meals for the crew which allowed them to continue their hard work each and every day. The overwhelming sense of community and unity has filled us with an unparalleled sense of love and appreciation. All in honour of one extraordinary young lad who is always shining over us.
The Newton family stayed at the Young Lives vs Cancer "Home from Home" in Southampton whilst Ted was receiving treatment.
We found the festival very moving; the sense of community, love for the Newton Family, army of volunteers, happy to give their time to create a unique festival that donates 100% profits to charities. We especially loved the attention to detail like the baby changing tent and sensory tables for children. It was great to be in the company of the other fantastic charities;
We loved speaking with everyone who came over to our Young Lives vs Cancer gazebo, to say hello, make a donation or play a game of Hook a Duck.
We chatted to families who have been supported by Young Lives vs Cancer, such as Aila and her mum Roisin, and Theo and his mum Sheryl, and many more who have been sadly been affected by childhood cancer.
Without government funding, we can only have our Social Workers providing emotional, practical and financial support, grants and “Homes from Home” like Jean’s House for families, thanks to the incredible support of all those supporting Teddy Rocks Festival.
The Bone Cancer Research Trust provided support to the Newton family when Ted was first diagnosed with bone cancer.
We are so honoured to be a charity partner of the Teddy Rocks Festival. It was such a thrill to be there, right in the thick of it, opposite the Ted Newton stage! As primary bone cancer is rare, it doesn't get the funding or amount of awareness that it deserves, so being able to raise awareness at our stand and talk to festival goers about our charity's work is invaluable.
This year, we had great fun, sending the kids around the festival, hunting for all the items on our scavenger hunt! People came to take selfies with Bridget Bones, our skeleton friend and one lucky person went home with our Teddy Rocks Festival inspired hamper by entering our prize draw!
Around 1,645 children are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year. Approximately 69 of these will have primary bone cancer and will face some of the most brutal treatment options which haven't changed for decades.
Over the next 10 years, we are committed to investing £10 million into pioneering bone cancer research to save lives! This is only possible thanks to the support our amazing fundraisers, like the Teddy Rocks Festival. Read more about our ‘More Patients Surviving & Thriving Strategy'
Visit Bone Cancer Research Trust
George’s Rockstars mission is to make children in hospitals smile through the power of music therapy.
George’s Rockstars had another amazing year at Teddy Rocks festival 2024 which so many children coming to play at our Rock Band station that we needed a bigger tent! The children had chance to play drum, guitar and keyboards with us and our musical volunteers from Rocksteady Music School. We even had the amazing Caleb H Drummer come to rock out on the drums with us after playing on stage!
With the support of Teddy Rocks we are able to bring more music therapy to children in hospital including on the children cancer ward where Ted and George spent a lot of time and hopefully soon to hospitals in Dorset.
With the money from 2024 we will also be supporting a 5th charity.
Alfie's Wish sends children with cancer (0 – 16 years) and their families on days out to build lasting memories.
More about TRF
Leading the fight with donations and direct support for children with cancer
Teddy Rocks Festival will not be possible without the support of our partners Hall & Woodhouse, and the following sponsors