Bishop & Miller are delighted to once again supporting St Elizabeth Hospice and Zest with a charity auction fundraiser!
On Thursday, 22nd August 2024, the world descended on Stowmarket for a special auction featuring over 200 items generously donated by global superstar Ed Sheeran, in support of St Elizabeth Hospice. The event was a tremendous success, attracting global interest and raising vital funds for the hospice and its young adult service, Zest.
Among the items up for auction were a variety of personal belongings from Ed Sheeran, including clothing, trainers, jackets, t-shirts, and several ITFC shirts from his recent sponsorship deal. Music fans were particularly excited about the rare musical instruments from Ed’s personal collection, which drew enthusiastic bidding.
Ed’s relationship with St Elizabeth Hospice is longstanding, with previous donations having raised thousands for the independent Suffolk charity. This year’s auction was no different, with supporters from all over the world bidding online via auctionet.com, making it a truly global event.
The star of the night was undoubtedly Ed’s custom-painted Martin LXM acoustic guitar, which features unique artwork celebrating his performance at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre in July 2017. This rare and highly coveted item exceeded all expectations, selling far beyond its modest £200-£400 estimate, reflecting the enthusiasm and dedication of Sheeran fans worldwide.
For those with smaller budgets, there were plenty of other lots to appeal to Ed Sheeran enthusiasts, including a boxed Lego set from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and an Ipswich Monopoly board game. The diversity of items ensured that there was something for everyone.
Clare Chater, Direction of Income Generation at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “We’d like to thank Ed for his amazing generosity in donating such a fantastic series of items for the auction. It’s a truly unique opportunity for all Ed Sheeran fans!
Our thanks also go to Bishop & Miller for hosting the auction, which will raise vital funds to support our services. Annually, our hospice team supports thousands of people, throughout East & Mid Suffolk, Great Yarmouth & Waveney. We’re reliant on donations and fundraising to continue our work and every penny raised by the auction will make a difference to those under our care.”
Claire Dorman, whose husband James Dorman received care from St Elizabeth Hospice before his death aged 37, expressed her gratitude to Ed, saying, “We are incredibly thankful to Ed for his ongoing generosity. His support allows us to continue providing vital care to thousands of people across East and Mid Suffolk, Great Yarmouth, and Waveney.”
Claire Dorman, whose late husband received care from St Elizabeth Hospice, also shared her heartfelt thanks: “Ed’s donations mean so much to families like mine. The funds raised will help the hospice continue their essential work.”
“Ed’s donation to the hospice is an incredibly kind gesture and the funds it will generate are absolutely vital in allowing the hospice to continue their important work – so please take part and place a bid!”
Oliver Miller, Managing Director of Bishop & Miller Auctioneers, who hosted the event, echoed these sentiments: “It’s been a privilege to support St Elizabeth Hospice through this auction. The global reach of Ed Sheeran’s fanbase made this event a remarkable success, and every bid has contributed to a cause that truly makes a difference.”
The event, which featured live entertainment and refreshments, was a celebration of generosity and community spirit, with every penny raised going to support those in need. Fans who couldn’t attend in person were able to view and bid on the lots online, ensuring everyone had the opportunity to participate in this unique occasion.
Thanks to the remarkable generosity of Ed Sheeran and the enthusiastic bidders, this auction has once again proven the power of celebrity and community coming together for a worthy cause.
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