14/03/2025
Remembering Daisy 🌈
With deep sadness, we share the news of the passing of one of our fantastic onsite staff team, Daisy Mowels.
Daisy first joined us as a volunteer at the very first Reading Festival attended by Hotbox Events in 2006 — and from that moment, she never looked back. Year after year, she returned to Reading Festival, becoming an invaluable part of our team. Daisy racked up a total of 17 Reading Festivals worked with us - a number difficult to beat by anyone in the Mapledurham fields! The only year she ever missed was 2021, when she had booked a trip to Canada, not expecting festivals to return so soon after the pandemic.
Starting as a CAT volunteer, Daisy’s remarkable attention to detail and deep knowledge of both Hotbox and Reading Festival quickly earned her a role as one of our office managers. She became a constant and hugely dependable part of our Reading crew, always among the first to apply when festival applications opened each year. Her staple role? The late shifts in the office — where she and Louis made a formidable team.
Last summer, Daisy expanded her festival horizons, joining us at not just Reading Festival but also Camp Bestival Dorset. Despite it being her first time at the event, she hit the ground running, leading our office team with the same dedication, warmth and humour she brought to Reading.
If you’ve ever attended Reading Festival with us, you’ve likely crossed paths with Daisy. Whether as the friendly face welcoming volunteers at sign-in, the go-to person in the Hotbox office for all things Reading Festival-related, or behind the scenes as a meticulous record-keeper ensuring smooth shift tracking and deposit returns for over 900 volunteers.
Daisy has been a cornerstone of our Reading Festival family since the very beginning. Her absence will leave an immeasurable void, and she will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of working alongside her.
In Daisy’s memory, her family has requested donations to Christchurch Macmillan. If you would like to donate, you can do so via the link below. Please don't forget to mention Daisy Mowels' name in your donation.
We’d also like to share a tribute from Daisy’s favourite artist, Frank Turner, from his 3000th show last month — an artist she loved, and a moment that would have meant the world to her.
Rest in peace, Daisy. Your kindness, dedication, and infectious love for festivals will never be forgotten. 💛
https://www.macmillanlocal.org/make-a-donation/
