On Sunday 27th May 2012 London based Charity OneLife took over the Ministry of Sound in an attempt to break the current DJ relay world record. It stood at an impressive 88 DJ’s consecutively mixing one record each. But after 2.5 hours 100 different DJ’s successfully managed to set a new official Guinness World Record for the charity!
The whole purpose of the event was to drive awareness to the work of OneLife, a London based charity established in 2009. Through their links with music and their motto “Raqve for a Reason”, OneLife – supported by their fundraising arm DanceAid – have become one of the largest fundraisers in the UK, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for children’s charities.
The work focuses on youth development and mentorship, with the charity providing emotional and practical support to vulnerable young people. Working directly with local community agencies OneLife already run 9 regular workshops, with an ambition to create another 57 – giving 2 workshops in each of the 33 London Boroughs. As quoted by Ambassador Carl Cox: “The work the charity does in invaluable to these children’s lives!”
One of their key courses actually teaches pupils how to mix and produce music, with each participant ending the course by using their newly found skills to record and master a professional mix CD.
Naturally then, the idea of breaking the record fitted brilliantly with the DJ workshop activity and the concept received support from community leaders in every borough across London, as well as police, MP’s and young advisers too.
The record break was started by Joe, from Shooting Star Chase Hospice, who had a special wish to be able to DJ at the Ministry of Sound. Joe has duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and has severe movement problems, but with the aid of a touch screen DJ surface connected to Joe’s chair, OneLife were able to make his dream come true on the day.
The day was supported by Olympic bronze medallist Tasha Danvers and DJ Carl Cox. Plus, Casino.com, the key sponsor of the event, also ran a campaign with a chance to “Get in the DJ box with Carl Cox” adding to the fun of the event on the day!
The party went on into the night at Ministry of Sound with an amazing surprise set from Angie Brown who delighted the crowd!
“The two founders of the OneLife; Mete Alpsakarya and Wayne Eldridge are absolutely, inspirational and are so incredibly dedicated to their work in the community – when you hear them talk about how they change lives with such passion and drive you can’t help but want to help support them in their work” – Gill Thorpe – MD of The Sourcing Team
Official Guinness World Records Adjudicator, Damian Field, said: “This is a fantastic achievement. OneLife, the participating DJs and everyone that came down to lend their support should be congratulated. This is great new record that will raise awareness of a charity carrying out important work.”
Dan Douglass, Executive Creative Director of MRM Meteorite – the agency that created the ‘Break Records’ advertising campaign – comments: ‘rarely does an agency get the opportunity to give their support to such an inspirational cause for a charity being run by such an inspirational group of people. We were absolutely thrilled to be approached and to be associated with this unique event.’
OneLife founders – Wayne & Mete said: “We are very proud that we achieved what we set out to do, we made Joe a DJ, broke a world record and brought together 100 different people from across London in one MIX!”
Liza Street – Chairman of OneLife said: “Fantastic, the boys at OneLife do an amazing job, so proud to be involved with this great charity – keeping kids off the street! Thank you everyone involved it was a fantastic day!”
Please help OneLife to achieve their ambition to develop 66 workshops and continue supporting communities across London. To find out more, visit www.onelifeuk.org – OneLife registered charity number 1127186