Ed Sheeran Donates Prototype Customised Guitar To GeeWizz for Charity Raffle
GeeWizz, the charity that created the massively successful ‘Ed Sheeran: Made In Suffolk’ Legacy Auction are delighted to announce the donation by Ed Sheeran of an incredibly special prototype customised = (equals) guitar which will be raffled for the charity.
The guitar is the latest in a collaboration between renowned guitar maker George Lowden and Ed. It has been handmade by Lowden who has been Ed Sheeran’s guitar maker for the past six years. It is Ed Sheeran’s prototype and a one of a kind to be personalised by Ed to the winner.
The money raised by the raffle will go towards a SMART music pod and disabled access facilities at Sir Robert Hitcham’s CEVAP School in Ed’s hometown of Framlingham and distributed by GeeWizz to other projects in Suffolk. The raffle is open from today until 19 December, tickets are £5 each and are available here.
Ed Sheeran said: “This is the prototype of the new = (equals) guitar by Sheeran Guitars by Lowden, it is one of one, there is not another guitar like this, this is the guitar that gets sent to me to check that all the other guitars are alright, it says prototype in it. To win this, it’s a £5 raffle which goes to charity, it’s going to build a music centre at a primary school near me which I’m really excited about. If you win it you can have it personalised, I can write some lyrics on it, I’ll do whatever you want! Runners up will get a signed Ipswich shirt by me, good luck and Merry Christmas!”
The = (equals) guitar celebrates Ed’s latest number one album of the same name. This guitar is the = (equals) prototype, so it is a true one of a kind and hugely collectible. It is crafted from walnut and spruce trees that have fallen naturally; the = (equals) inlay is in maple inset into the ebony fingerboard; a butterfly is etched into the heel; and the album artwork is included within the internal label. The final versions of the publicly available = (equals) Edition guitar will be limited to just 3000 units worldwide.
In addition to the guitar, Sheeran has also donated three signed Ipswich Town Football Club 2021/22 home football shirts with Ed Sheeran ‘TOUR’ Sponsor logo across the chest for three runners-up in the raffle.
George Lowden said: “It has been an absolute pleasure for me, along with my team, to design and make this limited edition = (equals) guitar. The detail of the album cover design along with the etching of the butterfly on the heel work so well with the other guitar features – especially the figured European walnut and reclaimed spruce used in the soundbox itself.”
Sir Robert Hitcham’s School is currently without a music room for their pupils and is in need of extra facilities for their learning disabled and neuro-divergent students. The fully accessible SMART music pod will be a dedicated space for peripatetic music lessons, whole class music lessons, music clubs and band practise.
Gina Long MBE, Founder of GeeWizz said “We are so incredibly grateful to Ed for this wonderful donation, it is a true reflection of his generosity towards his local community. The prototype guitar is a hugely collectible piece of music memorabilia, a chance for someone to own a piece of history and the legacy from the guitar will benefit so many children for years to come”.
We are delighted to be supporting Sir Robert Hitcham School, providing a wonderful space for their children to enjoy and we look forward to seeing it in use for many years to come.”
Helen Picton, Headteacher of Sir Robert Hitcham’s CEVAP School, said: “We are extremely grateful for the support of the GeeWizz Charity without which we would not be able to provide such a wonderful music space and disabled facilities for our children. We so look forward to seeing and using the fruits of your hard work and efforts.”
Any extra funds raised will be distributed by GeeWizz to others SENDS projects for learning disabled and neurodivergent children around Suffolk.