Merry dance raises more than £3,300

THE city’s very own urban festival, Dundee Dance Event (DDE) raised a total of £3,359 for cancer support centre Maggie’s in memory of former DDE DJ Zahid Butt (DJ Zed).

Zahid, died at the age of 49 on New Year’s Day after falling ill with cancer, prompting tributes from across the city to the popular DJ.

The charity, which cared for Zahid, received £1 from every ticket sold for the event.

More than 10,000 people attended the event held on Sunday May 1 when their dancing turned into donations.

DDE founder Mike McDonald said the organisers were delighted to see Maggie’s benefit from the popular event that took over the city.

“DDE raises money every year for a chosen charity and we were delighted we could do it for Maggie’s this year in memory of Zed.

“From each ticket sold for the event we

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This is a gift which can be kept for years to come; it is a keepsake which can be treasured like a love letter. donated £1 and a couple of the DJs waived their fee they received for performing at the closing party, which was brilliant of them, and this was added to the total.

“I’m proud that we can do this as well as helping to support local businesses. Stats we’ve just received back show that the event boosted the local economy to the tune of over £1.5 million, which is phenomenal.”

Anne Bell, Maggie’s Centre fundraiser, added that the amount donated as a result of DDE was “fantastic”.

“We are blown away by the generosity of Dundee Dance Event,” she said. “This fantastic amount raised will enable us to continue to support people with cancer and their friends and family. We are so grateful to everyone at DDE, thank you so much for choosing Maggie’s Dundee”.

Zed’s nephew, Zen Butt, said it was fitting that Maggie’s received the money which will allow them to care for others in the way that they cared for his uncle.

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“Although my Uncle Zahid is still sorely missed, it is comforting to know that such an impressive amount will be donated to Maggie’s in his name,” he said.

“Especially at a time when the centre happens to be experiencing a lack of funds, it’s almost poetic how this donation will support our local Maggie’s Centre in their time of need, similar to how they supported him while he was in hospital.”

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