They’re record-breakers

Monday, 11 June 2012

ONE hundred DJs took to the decks at a major London nightclub in just 12 hours to help a charity win a Guinness world record.

The event at the Ministry of Sound raised £11,650 to help set up DJ workshops in schools across London.

Wayne Eldridge and Mete Alpsakarya roped in club superstars and turntablists from the ranks of their charity’s music schools across London to topple the record for the largest number of DJs to hit the decks in one marathon session.

DJs Brandon Block, Grooverider and Spoony were among the line-up.

At 3am on May 27, an official from Guinness World Records announced that they had smashed the record held by BBC radio’s 1Xtra, which stood at 66.

The event netted the Southwark-born duo’s One Life charity £11,650.

The charity runs DJing classes in deprived areas across London and is on track to host regular lessons in all of London’s 32 boroughs by 2014. It also runs free classes for older folk - “silver surfers”.

The money raised from the One Life Mix in London party will allow Mete and Wayne to launch 11 new DJing and Silver Surfing schools - including two in Southwark at the Oxford and Bermondsey Boys’ Club in Webb Street, Bermondsey and at the Millpond Tenants’ Hall in Jamaica Road, Rotherhithe.

Mete said: “It was absolutely fantastic.

“Unfortunately we had the hottest day in weeks, so some of the DJs came and did their sets and then went off to the park but there were still a lot of people. “I’m so grateful to everyone who gave up their time.

“The highlight for me was 19-year-old DJ Joe.

He is a permanent resident at a children’s hospice and the idea for the whole party really came from him because he said it was his dream to play at a big club.

“He got that wish and had his picture taken with all of the dancing girls. Now he is a record-breaker as well.

“Our classes are all about showing that Londoners can help each other. We go into each borough and find out where our services are most needed. “It keeps youngsters off the streets but also helps pensioners.

“If I want a pint of milk I can walk down the road and it takes 10 minutes.

“If a 90-year-old wants the same thing it can take 45minutes. All of these things can be done on the web but people need to be shown how.”

To express an interest in going to the DJing or Silver Surfing classes, email infor@onelifeuk.org

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