*Scroll down for information about this year's DECADeANCE that was held on 19 November 2022

What started out as a one-off fundraising party has become one of Mountbatten’s most successful supporter events.

Tony Martin first held DECADeDANCE in 2009 to celebrate reaching 30 years as a DJ.

The event at Cowes Yacht Haven raised £5,200, which was split between Mountbatten and St Mary’s Hospital’s Barely Born Appeal.

More than ten years on and DECADeDANCE remains an annual highlight in the Island’s event calendar, raising £85,000 to date.

Tony chose to support Mountbatten after we cared for his mum back in 2001.

The concept of DECADeANCE was to play music of the decades in decadent surroundings and its success led to a special invite from Buckingham Palace to attend a Royal Garden Party in 2019.

Tony said: 

“I get so much pleasure from seeing a packed dancefloor, lots of smiley faces on people in fancy dress or posh attire, losing themselves in the best music of each decade.

Over the years we have had different themes – James Bond, carnival, Hollywood – and we have had some fantastic nights.

I was very honoured to have been recognised, and it was an immensely proud day for my dad and me, who joined me.

He has always been a staunch supporter of my fundraising and has been a volunteer at Mountbatten too, so it meant a great deal to us both.”

Before the pandemic, A DECADE of DECADeANCE – held to mark ten years of the event – raised more than £12,000.