A MUSIC festival has managed to raise £17,000 to help a former Bangor University lecturer who fell ill whilst on field work in Asia make some much-needed adaptations to her Gwynedd home.

Dr Sophie Williams contracted Japanese encephalitis whilst undertaking some research in China three years ago.

She has limited movement below the neck and depends on a ventilator and as such, has been living in various care homes until her own home in Sling, near Tregarth, is given a makeover to help suit her daily needs.

The money raised during the music festival at Treborth Botanic Gardens on June 17 will be put towards providing Sophie's home with wheel-chair access and space for the carers she needs 24 hours a day.

The 'Draig Beats' event at Treborth was jointly arranged by Sophie's friends and Bangor University and saw over 800 people attend.

Those present enjoyed food, plenty of workshops and children's activities on what turned out to be a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Internationally acclaimed master kora player and drummer Seckou Keita performed and the headlining act was Sophie's former band - Drymbago.

All the acts played for free, so that all ticket sales could go to The Sophie Williams Trust, as well as the profits from the food and workshops.

Sophie herself came to the event and was at the centre of the audience for many of the acts. Afterwards she had a message for everyone.

"Thank you all for coming to Draig Beats," she said.

"It was so much fun, especially Seckou Keita, he was phenomenal!"

Natalie Chivers, curator of Treborth Botanic Garden, added: “We were delighted to be able to host Draig Beats.

"Sophie has been very much a part of the Garden since she was a student here and actually helped to arrange our first music festival way back in 2009, Botanical Beats.

"Therefore, it was very fitting that the Garden should enable this fantastic event to happen, to bring together people who love Sophie and want to help her get back home to Tregarth.”

A gin festival, a sponsored climb of Snowdon, specially designed Christmas cards and a hair-shaving event are just some of the many other fund-raising activities carried out by Sophie's friends and family over the last few months.

Their target is to collect £60,000 to ensure that Sophie can return to her home as soon as possible.