Following the announcement of a 12-month fundraising partnership with UK housing and homelessness charity Shelter in July 2023, Defected has revealed the auction items as well as a special Defected Radio Show dedicated to the cause.
Defected auction night and gala at BAFTA in London’s West End
Wez Saunders, CEO of Defected, will host an exclusive auction night and gala at BAFTA in London’s West End on November 16. A vacation on a private island, Michelin-starred meals, 5* hotel stays, arena tour tickets, and plenty of special Defected memorabilia will all be available for bidding online ahead of the event. Fans of the label will have the opportunity to bid on things such as Master At Work Louie Vega’s distinctive hat, a pair of Defected Radio Show host Sam Divine‘s trainers, an awards disc commemorating The Shapeshifters’ legendary ‘Lola’s Theme’ hitting 100,000 radio plays, and much more. The full list of rewards is available on the Wez Saunders Foundation‘s official website. The auction promises to have something for everyone. There will be exclusive music artifacts as well as once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Following the Shelter fundraiser at BAFTA on November 16, Defected will hold an afterparty in London’s Neon 194 on Thursday, November 16. The lineup includes Arielle Free, Fat Tony, Majestic, Melvo Baptiste, Melle Brown, Rudimental, and YOURS. From 9.30 p.m. to 3 a.m., fans may sign up for entry to the party and help Shelter raise essential donations.
Defected Radio Show with Sam Divine
Defected has also launched a special takeover of the internationally syndicated Defected Radio Show. It annually attracts up to 20M listeners from 50+ countries, to raise awareness for the relationship. The two-hour broadcast will inform fans of the collaboration, the work done by Shelter, and ways Defected’s community might participate in the fundraising efforts. Sam Divine will host and premiere the show on Friday, November 3rd.
The 12-month campaign
Shelter and Defected’s 12-month campaign will include a variety of fundraising initiatives. It will galvanize Defected’s dance music community to help those in danger of homelessness and join Shelter’s fight for change.
Shelter works to protect the right to a safe home. It also combats the devastation caused by the housing crisis on individuals and society. It accomplishes this by offering immediate assistance and support, as well as advocating for long-term change. Shelter considers home to be everything.
More data about homeless in England
In England, one family becomes homeless every four minutes. Currently, 1.2 million people are on the social housing waiting list. The housing crisis disproportionately impacts single moms and members of the LGBTQI+ and Black communities. Gay and lesbian persons are twice as likely to face discrimination and Black people are 70% more likely to be affected. Defected is glad to support Shelter and this important subject in order to raise attention to these troubling numbers.
