COMMUNITY spirit shone brightly throughout a fun day as hundreds gathered to celebrate the life of Weymouth schoolgirl Robyn Nixon.

The Rock in Hope music festival was held in memory of the 15-year-old, who died tragically after falling from the roof of a multi-storey car park last year, and to raise awareness of youth issues.

Organisers deemed the festival such a success they are now planning to make it an annual event.

Families and groups of young people took picnics to make the most of the 10-hour family fun day at the Nothe Gardens yesterday.

There was live music from local bands, magicians, face painting, a free arts and crafts area and a photo booth.

Robyn’s older sister Aimee Michel, 25, spent two months organising the event to raise awareness of the causes and issues affecting young people.

An inquest into Robyn’s death heard how she had been a victim of bullying.

Family and youth service stalls including Dorset County Council’s early intervention service and Waves Youth Resource Centre were at the event.

Aimee said she thought her sister would have been proud of the community’s resp-onse to the event.

She said: “I organised the event in memory of my sister Robyn but also to raise awareness of young peoples’ issues and the local youth culture.

“We wanted to offer the opportunity for young people and parents to find out about local services.

“Last year the community pulled together really well, it was a nice response to what happened.

“A lot of young people were left heartbroken.”

She added: “I’d like to say a special thank you to all the people and businesses that helped make the event a success.”

Robyn’s sister Tania Cox said she was amazed at how supportive people in the community were and praised Aimee’s hard work in organising the event.

Reveller Jody Crawford said it was nice to see local people getting involved. The 28-year-old said: “The event is lovely and everybody is having a good time. It’s a perfect way to end our summer.”

Compere for the event, musician Si ‘Jubb’ Carruthers, said: “There’s a nice atmosphere with people here to celebrate Robyn’s life and how we are all in it together.”

Owner of the Kings Arms, Pete Whittle, sponsored the event. He said: “Having kids I know what kind of things they go through so I wanted to help out.”

All money raised will be given to an anti-bullying campaign planned by Robyn’s Fund for National Anti-Bullying weeks, the Waves Youth Project charity and a national charity campaign ‘Say Never Again’ run by beatbullying.org