Money raised at the Dundee Dance Event in May will be donated to the city’s Maggie’s cancer centre in memory of local DJ Zahid Butt.
Zahid Butt, also known as DJ Zed, died on New Year’s Day after falling ill with cancer, prompting tributes from across the city.
Now, organisers of the Dundee Dance Event (DDE) have chosen to support the city’s Maggie’s centre in memory of Zahid, who performed at the events over the years.
Donations will be in memory of Zahid
The charity, which cared for 49-year-old Zahid, will receive £1 from every ticket sold to the event’s closing night at the Aura Nightclub.
Partygoers at previous events have raised over £10,000 for good causes, including Diabetes Scotland, Tayside Children’s Hospital and Alzheimer Scotland.
Organiser Mike McDonald hopes that attendees at this year’s event will be able to raise a similar amount in Zahid’s memory.
“We wanted to do this in honour of Zahid who sadly passed away last year and who was cared for by Maggie’s during the last few weeks of his life.
“Over 2,500 people are diagnosed with cancer every year and the work that Maggie’s does for adults and children living with the disease is amazing.”
Zen Butt, Zahid’s nephew, understands the vital work Maggie’s does after being diagnosed with cancer himself two years ago.
He remembers walking into Maggie’s for a chat with staff shortly after being diagnosed.
“Being able to talk to someone that knew what I was going through felt like a burden had been lifted off my shoulders”, he explained.
“When my uncle Zahid was in the hospital, I spoke highly of Maggie’s to him and recommended that speaking to them may help him in the same way it helped me.
“He told me they’d already visited and helped him with forms and paperwork.
“Having helped my uncle Zahid, as well as many cancer patients across Dundee, a donation to Maggie’s in his name is a gesture I’m sure he would have appreciated.”
Maggie’s operates a network of free drop-in centres, providing practical support for people who are diagnosed with cancer at all ages.
“They do amazing work and deserve all the support they can get,” Zen added.
Anne Bell, centre fundraising Organiser at Maggie’s Dundee, said the charity was delighted Dundee Dance Event had chosen to support its work.
“Maggie’s Dundee has supported 15,000 visits in the last year from children and adults at our Ninewells site in Dundee,” she said.
Anne explained that the charity would be unable to support cancer patients without the support of organisations like DDE.
Maggie’s ‘supports cancer patients to take back control’
She added: “We’re sure it will be a fantastic day for everyone, and the money raised through the event will ensure that we can be there for people affected by cancer.
“Maggie’s offers the best possible support to anyone affected by cancer and their families who walk through our doors and we also support people online.
“We help people take back control when cancer turns their lives upside down, with professional support for anything from treatment side effects to money worries, all our support is free and you don’t need an appointment or referral, just come in.”
