A pharmacist is hosting a music festival this summer, with Take That and Elton John tribute bands headlining the event.  

Sultan ‘Sid’ Dajani will be hosting Music at the Manor 2025 on July 12 at Andover Manor, Hampshire, to raise donations and awareness of The Abel Foundation. 

The charity supports those affected by mitochondrial disease, which currently has no cure. 

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The Abel Foundation was established by 10-year-old Abel’s parents to help other families deal with the disease as they themselves go through challenges of supporting their son. 

Abel’s mother, Claire Noakes, said Abel had “battled this disease all his young life” and “by bringing the community together through their love of music, we hope to raise awareness of this disease”. 

She also thanked Dajani “for opening his grounds to the community and making this event possible”. 

The Cure and James Blunt on the guestlist 

Dajani told C+D that nearly all 600 tickets have sold out. Fourteen businesses are sponsoring the event, which will be livestreamed on local radio. The local army cadets will maintain security.  

A handful of local bands will be performing alongside a Take That tribute act and also Totally Elton, an Elton John tribute act the flamboyant pianoman's mum booked for her own 90th birthday party.

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Dajani said: “We’ve got celebrities coming along. Chris Britton of The Troggs who lives locally, Simon Gallup from The Cure. We invited the chef James Martin and James Blunt. We’ve invited the local MPs.” 

The pharmacist praised the work Abel’s parents are doing to support those who have mitochondrial disease, having met them when he moved to Andover and became closer to them as Abel was born six weeks after his own daughter DeeDee. 

“It’s a pioneering foundation for other people with mitochondrial babies,” he said. “It’s the only charity worldwide that deals with what they do in terms of advice and support. Every time Abel gets an infection, they tell the hospital and medics what he needs rather than the other way round. 

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“Tony and Claire are great parents, and Abel needs a very extensive support system. So, this is a community pulling together to support the family, so they don’t feel isolated as most carers often do.” 

Dajani said will be “phenomenal to be amongst hundreds of people supporting such a great cause in the best way”. 

He added: “This is a day of guaranteed merriment on a large scale and where every penny goes to the Abel Foundation.” 

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In September, Dajani was awarded the ‘Freedom of the City of London’ for his services to pharmacy throughout his distinguished career in community pharmacy. 

Tickets for the festival are available here.