A fundraiser set up in the memory of Graeme Park‘s late teenage son has seen over £25,000 in donations made to charity.
Back in March, the former Hacienda DJ shared the devastating news on social media that his “true warrior” son Oliver had passed away at the age of 18 after a year-long battle with a rare blood cancer known as sarcoma, and thousands of messages of love and support flooded in from fans and famous names in the Greater Manchestermusic and entertainment community.
The 59-year-old described his son as a “kind, loving, and beautiful soul” in an emotional tribute.
Graeme said Oliver “fought so hard until the very end”, but was sadly taken “far too soon” when he “had so much more love to offer to this world”.
Graeme Park’s son Oliver passed away in March 2023 / Credit: Graeme Park (via Instagram)
The Park family said they were “heartbroken” to have lost a son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend, but took the time to thank everyone “from the bottom of our hearts” for their “wonderful and valued support”.
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They also confirmed back in March that they had made the decision to set up a JustGiving page in Oliver’s memory for Sarcoma UK – a national charity that funds vital research, offers support for anyone affected by sarcoma cancer, and campaigns for better treatments.
Now, coming up to two months since Oliver’s passing, Graeme has revealed that more than £25,000 in donations has been raised for the charity.
— BBC Radio Manchester (@BBCRadioManc) May 10, 2023
Speaking to presenter Anna Jameson yesterday on the loss of his son, and the funds raised in the late teenager’s memory, Graeme explained: “You can’t imagine it because you don’t think you’re ever going to have to experience the situation.
“You really read about people who lose a child, and you think it must be awful, and then it happens to you.
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“It’s just the worst… and it’s still very raw.”
Graeme insisted that despite how raw it is, he does still “want to talk about [Oliver’s passing]” because “sarcoma is very rare and often misdiagnosed, and on average it takes two years to get the correct diagnosis, and by then it’s too late”.
“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Oliver and his twin brother, Ben / Credit: Graeme Park (via JustGiving)
Graeme said the public’s response to the fundraiser has been “amazing”.
“Someone ran the Paris Marathon, someone ran the London Marathon, other people have put little events on, so the total is now £25,303, which is incredible.”
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He said the amount raised for the charity so far has taken his family completely by surprise, adding that: “I thought when we set it up ‘we’ll probably get five or six grand [but] there’s been a few big donations, as well as lots of small donations.”
Donations haven’t just been made via the JustGiving page either, as Graeme said people have even been coming up to him at gigs.
We were saddened to hear of Oliver's death. Our sincere condolences to @graemepark and his loved ones.
As Teenage and Young Adults Cancer Awareness Month starts on Sat, we are driven more than ever to raise awareness of this awful cancer that affects too many younger people. https://t.co/VrOnsvzyGA
“I’ve done a few gigs, because I’m trying to get back to normal because I do think doing what I do, playing music, and just meeting people and seeing people kind of gives you strength, and everyone has been so supportive.
“People have come up to me, I did a Hacienda night in Leeds, and people were coming up and saying ‘look, I’m no good on the internet, here’s five pounds, here’s 10 pounds, add it to the fund’.
Nine arrests were made earlier this week after a group of suspected neo-Nazis were discovered celebrating Adolf Hitler’s birthday at a pub in Oldham last month.
Alarming stuff, to say the least.
The individuals in question were arrested following a series of coordinated morning raids across multiple areas of Greater Manchester, including Rochdale, Bolton, Trafford and Stockport.
Another man was taken into custody from an address in Southport, with those involved belonging to the North West arm of a far-right group known simply as ‘British Movement’.
Craft Union Pubs, who operate the establishment, said they were “absolutely appalled”. (Credit: Google Maps)
The pub in question was the Duke of Edinburgh in Royton, a town of around 21,000 people located in north Oldham; the owners, who were said to have been ‘tricked’ into allowing the celebrations, were shocked to learn the group were observing Hitler’s birthday.
Upon realising the true nature of the festivities after images were shared on social media, staff immediately reported the party to the local authorities and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers based in and around the borough were then made aware of the situation.
As seen online – including on British Movement Northern’s (BMN) own website – the pub were seen holding Nazi flags, SS bolts and the Iron Cross, even posting pictures eating a cake with swastika icing alongside captions which included the line, “the 136th birthday of Uncle A.”
Taking place on Wednesday morning, 7 May, several morning raids saw those present detained on suspicion of Section 18 Public Order Act offences, which relate to displaying written material which is threatening, abusive or insulting, intended to stir up racial hatred.
During the extensive operation, everything from imitation firearms to real weapons like swords and a crossbow, along with numerous other pieces of Nazi memorabilia were found. Police are still investigating the incident and searching the relevant premises in Oldham and beyond.
Beyond shocking. (Credit: BMN)
GMP have been quick to contact Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW) to advise on the materials and assess further risk; for instance, following the recovery of a suspected grenade at a property in Bolton, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) was deployed and the item declared safe.
Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker said in an official statement: “Due to the nature of the materials we recovered at the warrants today, we have liaised with colleagues at CTPNW. This is a matter of course, and it very much remains a GMP-led investigation.
“It’s important that all avenues are explored to establish the extent of the criminal offences which have been committed, and whilst our investigation is still in its early stages, we do not believe there to be a risk to the wider public.
“This group clearly has a deep fascination with ideas that we know are unsettling for communities across Greater Manchester. We must take action when concerns are raised, and where weapons are suspected, to ensure people are free to live without fear of intimidation or harm.”
Naturally, GMP are encouraging people to stay vigilant and come forward with any further information or concerns they may have.
Travel disruption is expected across the next couple of weeks as ‘essential engineering’ work begins on a major Metrolink line.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has confirmed that a reduced service will run on the Bury line this weekend, as work to replace ‘defective’ beams supporting the roof at Whitefield Tunnel means that no trams will run between Crumpsall and Bury on Saturday (10 May), or between Whitefield and Bury on Sunday (11 May).
Some weekend and overnight working is said to be ‘necessary’ to secure and protect the overhead line equipment, so that the beam replacement work can be completed as ‘safely and quickly as possible’, according to TfGM.
A crane is planned to be in use for the beam replacement work at times.
Closures on the line from this weekend come after the successful completion of preparatory work at the site, following the discovery of a defective beam.
No trams will run on a major Metrolink line as ‘essential’ work to repair Victorian-era tunnel starts this weekend / Credit: TfGM
As well as the suspension on services this weekend, as mentioned above, several other chances throughout this month and into the next on the Bury line are also to be expected.
No tram services will operate between Crumpsall and Bury on Sunday 25 May, and no again from Friday 30 May to Sunday 1 June, while no trams will run between Whitefield and Bury from Monday 26 to Thursday 29 May.
For the duration of all closures, replacement bus services will run between the affected stops on all the above dates.
Any so-called ‘noisier’ work is set to take place during daytime and evening working hours where possible, and several noise reduction measures – such as acoustic blankets and enclosures – also to be put in place during this.
Essential upgrade work to protect the historic Whitefield Tunnel means no trams will run between Crumpsall–Bury (Sat 10 May) and Whitefield–Bury (Sun 11 May).
We're replacing a defective beam to keep the line safe and reliable.
As always, the Greater Manchester public is being advised to ‘plan ahead’ if they are travelling.
“Whitefield Tunnel dates back to the 19th century,” explained Ian Davies, who is TfGM’s Network Director for Metrolink, “and this essential work will ensure tram services can continue to safely pass through it for decades to come.
“This is a complex job, but we will do everything we can to minimise disruption to passengers, residents and businesses.”
He added: “I would encourage people who use the Bury line to plan ahead and check the Bee Network website, app, and social media channels for the most up-to-date travel information.”
Emily Sergeant -
12th May 2023 
