AK-OK disco, Christie supporters

Friends Mark Buckley, Mike Griffin, John Griffin and Alan Keegan are all supporters of The Christie charity. All 4 men felt it was important to support The Christie charity as they had all been impacted by cancer in some way – through friends, family or their own personal connection.

In January 2022, Mark, Mike, John and Alan met in a pub in South Manchester to plan a charity event with a difference. As well as looking to raise money for The Christie charity, the 4 friends wanted to organise an event to inspire people.

Mark, Mike, John and Alan wanted to celebrate the things they and many others had missed during the COVID-19 lockdowns: meeting old friends in large groups, catching up with people, music, dancing and having fun. They thought if they could organise an event that could include all the things they missed and also raise money for a worthwhile cause, they would be onto something.

With all this in mind, Mark, Mike, John and Alan planned an 80s charity disco night – with plans to make the most of Alan’s skills. As well as being “The Voice of Old Trafford” at the Manchester United football ground for more than 25 years, Alan was also a former DJ.

In the 80s, Alan had been the go-to DJ in the Longsight, Levenshulme, Fallowfield, Withington and Chorlton areas of South Manchester. To make the 80s charity disco night a success, Alan offered to dust off his old DJ equipment and vinyl and give his services for free.

The AK-OK 80s Rewind Charity Disco took place in July, with people buying tickets and donating to raise money in support of The Christie charity. The evening was a great success, with everyone having a great time dancing the night away.

“We all have our own relationship with cancer so supporting The Christie was a unanimous decision. People do not realise how much the functioning of the large research hospital depends upon charitable donations – it is absolutely essential and every donation counts.”

  - Mark Buckley, Christie supporter

We’d like to say a big thanks to Mark, Mike, John and Alan. The AK-OK 80s Rewind Charity Disco raised more than £20,000 in support of The Christie charity. Fundraising like this really is vital, as it means we can keep supporting cancer patients and their families, over and above what the NHS funds.

Would you like to fundraise for The Christie charity? Speak to the charity team on 0161 446 3988 or see how you can get involved with fundraising.