A budding young musician was thrilled to receive a guitar signed by superstar singer Ed Sheeran – which his dad won in a hospice auction.
Keith, from Worcester, decided to support St Richard’s Hospice by bidding in its online auction and gave his 12-year-old son, Adam, the guitar as a surprise on Christmas Day.
His winning auction bid of £4,500 will help fund the Worcester hospice’s specialist care to patients living with life-limiting illnesses, their loved ones and the bereaved.
“When I first heard about the auction, I thought: ‘what a great idea’ and that it was a generous gift from Ed. My first reaction was to think: ‘I must place a bid’ as it’s such a worthwhile cause,” said Keith.
“Both Adam and my wife had heard about the auction – but I kept it to myself even after realising I had the winning bid.
“I wrapped the guitar up and gave it to Adam on Christmas morning. One of life’s greatest moments was reflected in a wide smile on his face – I just knew that he was very pleased with the gift!”
The guitar is a new, Martin & Co instrument, bearing a message from Ed saying ‘Play this guitar!’.
The Grammy Award-winning musician donated it to St Richard’s in recognition of the care provided to someone special to him.
Adam, who plays the piano, has already started learning the guitar and can even play along to some of Ed’s songs.
“I can honestly say that the quality and sound from the guitar is so good,” said Keith. “Adam has spent a lot of time teaching himself some chords and in fact he is now even trying to play along with some of Ed’s songs!
“He developed an interest in music from a very early age and often strummed an old guitar we had lying around together with bashing toy drums.”
Keith has supported the hospice with fundraising challenges in the past – and now hopes to get even more involved in supporting St Richard’s.
He said: “I have always had a passion for the great work undertaken and the facilities at St Richard’s – but something has always felt right that I should try and do my bit.”