Elbow have donated a guitar used on their latest album to raise money for a Nobel Peace Prize-winning landmine charity.
The Gretsch Electromatic G5120, signed by all five members of the band, is being auctioned on eBay along with lots from Jessie J and Stephen Fry in aid of MAG (Mines Advisory Group).
Based in Manchester, MAG clears war zones of mines and munitions worldwide, helping men, women and children gain access to food, water and basic facilities.
Elbow frontman Guy Garvey is a long-time supporter of the charity. He is encouraging people to log onto the online auction to win some unique presents in time for Christmas, whilst supporting MAG’s life-saving work.
He says, "Elbow have supported MAG for 12 years. It means we get to feel like heroes without leaving the safety and comfort of our armchairs.
“MAG teams risk their lives to piece back together war-torn communities. All you have to do to be one of those heroes is bid in their auction.
“Be a hero and support MAG this Christmas, and always.”
Some of the music world’s biggest names have donated signed CDs, records, t-shirts, posters and other one-of-a-kind musical merchandise to MAG for its Music Beats Mines online auction, which runs until December 8.
Ed Sheeran, Brian May, Alison Moyet, Olly Murs, The Saturdays, Paloma Faith, Billy Bragg, Plan B and Mark Owen as well as comedians Eddie Izzard, John Bishop and Game Of Thrones’ Lena Heady have all donated to the online charity auction.
This year sees the fifth incarnation of the hugely successful Music Beats Mines auction, which has so far raised over £8000 for MAG’s work and attracted attention from all over the world.
The auction can be accessed here.
MAG is a global humanitarian charity that has been reducing the devastating effects of armed violence, landmines and other deadly remnants of conflict for the benefit of communities worldwide since 1989.
In 1997 MAG became co-laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize for its working helping to bring about the international Mine Ban Treaty that banned the use, stockpile and manufacture of anti-personnel landmines.
