Two of the biggest names in Music generously provided unique prizes to a fundraising event commemorating the launch of a new Worcestershire children's charity.
Ed Sheeran donated a picture that he drew himself saying 'feed me' and Coldplay contributed a signed guitar and six VIP tickets for a ball that signalled the official launch of a new charity, The Anna Wilkinson Mockingbird Trust.
The Mockingbird Trust was established in October 2016 in memory of Anna Wilkinson, who died in January 2016 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. The mission behind this organisation is to raise money for children with terminal and life-threatening diseases.
The event took place at Hillhampton, Worcestershire, and 420 people attended to celebrate what would have been Anna's 18th birthday on June 28th.
'Anna would have been proud.'
Chris Wilkinson, father of Anna and one of the founders of The Mockingbird Trust, said: 'Anna would have been proud.The main thing is everyone is having a good time and celebrating Anna.'
Wendy Wilkinson, mother to Anna and a co-founder of the Mockingbird Trust, said it is unbelievable that two of the world's largest acts are willing to support their organisation.
The ball managed to raise £41,000 in total from the auction and raffle together. The final fundraising total is yet to be confirmed, but estimations predict it is somewhere close to £50,000.
The Ed Sheeran picture went for £3450, whilst the signed Coldplay guitar was won for £7500.The 6 VIP tickets were sold at £6500.
Some of the other prizes on offer included a trip to the McLaren Technology Centre, a dinner for 6 people at your house with Benson's Catering, two tickets to a pre-Wimbledon party, 2 Chelsea tickets and 6 tickets to the tennis finals in the 02 arena.
'Their contributions make it feel more significant.'
Lizzi Wilkinson, sister to Anna and a member of the Mockingbird Trust committee, said Coldplay's and Ed Sheeran's involvement in the ball makes it feel more official as it is difficult to get some of the biggest music stars in the world involved in such a small charity. She added that their contributions to the auction make it feel more significant.
Jess Wilkinson, also a sister to Anna and a member of the committee, said: 'I am optimistic that this charity will raise a lot of money.We are planning to make this an annual event. This was Anna's sort of thing.'
The evening concluded with live Entertainment from local bands King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys and The Blue Lion Band.
Although this event marked the official launch of the organisation, they have held other events in the past that include a cinema night watching Anna's favourite film, Back to the Future.This year, a group of 13 cyclists travelled 140 miles over three days from Whitehaven to Sunderland on April this year for The Mockingbird Trust.
Cathy Carbery, a committee member who arrived from Australia to attend the event, said it was a fantastic event and she would not have missed it for the world.
