Ed Sheeran partners with Suffolk charity to raise money for local school

Winner of the raffle organised by GeeWizz will receive a prototype guitar used and signed by the 'Bad Habits' singer

Author: Kaushal MenonPublished 9th Dec 2021

Pop star and Suffolk local Ed Sheeran is working with GeeWizz to raise money for the Sir Robert Hitcham CEVAP school in his hometown Framlingham.

The singer has donated his personal, prototype guitar, which will be raffled by the children's charity. The guitar, pictured below, is the latest in a collaboration between renowned guitar maker George Lowden and Mr Sheeran, who is celebrating the release of his chart topping album '='.

George Lowden (L) and Ed Sheeran with the prized guitar

The raffle begins today and is open until 19th December. Each ticket costs £5 and the money collected will go towards constructing a music room as well as extra facilities for the disabled and neuro-divergent students at Sir Robert Hitcham CEVA Primary school.

Gina Long is the founder of GeeWizz: "The winner is going to have Ed bespoke the prized guitar to them. He has said that he will even write some lyrics or personalise it in whatever way the winner asks."

Three lucky people will also win signed Ipswich Town FC home jerseys signed by the 'Bad Habits' singer.

"I'm hoping people will consider buying tickets for the Ed Sheeran prototype guitar raffle which is going to make such a difference to children in Suffolk. If you can't buy a ticket, could you help us by spreading the word, because that itself would be so kind", she says.

In a statement, Mr Sheeran himself said: "This guitar 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."

Mrs Long also paid tribute to Mr Sheeran's generosity and says the initiative wouldn't be possible without him.

"We are especially gratefully for Ed, who is beyond a charity champion. He had a choice to give this to anyone. The fact that he has given it to make a difference to the Sir Robert Hitcham School and others in Suffolk is remarkable."

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.