SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Student disc jockeys got into the groove for the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

Swindon's New College was transformed into a ministry of sound as about 300 students watched DJs from around the town battle it out with MCs for music supremacy.

The competition, organised by the students' union, was the first of its kind in the town and judging by the audience's reaction it won't be the last.

The event raised more than £340 for Macmillan nurses.

Student union entertainment officer Gary Turland, 18, organised the event and is now hoping to host more in clubs around the town.

Drama and media student Gary, of Cranmore Avenue, Park South, said: "It was a wicked night. The hardest bit was persuading people it would be a success.

"But now people keep asking me when I'm going to organise another event. I hope to do it soon."

Student Roshni Patel, 18, currently studying chemistry, biology and further maths A-levels, said the evening was a huge success.

Roshni, from Horseshoe Crescent, Peat-moor, said: "The union was proud to pioneer the event. At first we had a competition between DJs, where each participant was given a 10-minute set.

"They were then split up into different groups depending on their style of music, which ranged from garage to drum and bass to hip hop.

"After that we had the MC competition, where we had two people up against each other, like Eminem in his film Eight Mile. They mixed lyrics and tried to outdo each other on stage.

"At regular intervals during the night we had breakdancing sets, which was great."

The DJs were judged on their mixing quality and style of music. The winner, who is known as Bailey, picked up a £50 cash prize.

MC Paul Farrow, 18, won his category for his vocal skills.

Roshni added: "The Evening Advertiser has made us more aware of the Macmillan charity with the recent articles about the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

"We have helped various national charities such as Comic Relief and Breast Cancer Awareness over the last year so this time we wanted to give our donations to a local charity, so we could make a difference in Swindon.

"Since September 2002 we have raised more than £1,500 for various charities."

Appeal manager Graziella Campisano said: "It sounds like the students had a lot of fun. I'm so pleased people are coming up with varied and exciting ways to raise money."

The total raised for the appeal so far stands at £91,287.

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