Boy George will be auctioning off the rights to a song he has written as an homage to Ukraine having previously visited eight years ago. Speaking on ‘Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky’, the singer described his experience; “I went there about eight years ago, I DJ’d there, and I had the most amazing night and I remember thinking, this is such a beautiful place, I must come back.”

He went on to say; “I suppose the spirit of this song is saying Ukraine is a beautiful country and hopefully it will be a beautiful country again, you know, and I watched this young kid the other day on Instagram saying, ‘Don’t be sad about all of that’. It’s difficult not to be because, you know, we’re just looking at it and were horrified and feeling helpless. And you know, to me, it’s just music is the thing that has always saved me in all my difficult situations.”

“I just remember thinking it was such a beautiful place. You know, it was summer I got picked up by this incredible kid who was like a punk rocker in this big American car like one of The Addams Family for my whole trip from beginning to end was just magical. And I remember thinking, I must go back, you know, and I would love to do that. I’d love to go back and sing this song.”

Other prizes that were up for grabs included a five-course meal with Dame Emma Thompson, Hayley Atwell, Michelle Dockery, Vanessa Kirby and Sienna Miller. As well as four tickets to experience Coldplay in action at Wembley Stadium and meet the band in person. A chance to go to lunch with such superstars as Colin Firth, Matthew Goode, Hugh Bonneville, Matt Smith and Jack Savoretti was one of the most popular lots, that had bids exceeding the sum of £25,000.

With the circumstances in Ukraine still continuing to get worse for the millions of affected citizens, Chris Evans outlined his hopes for the funds raised by the auction. Saying; “We are not attached to any kind of optimistic outcome, we are just going to do it and send the cheque where it needs to go as soon as possible when the money comes in.”

The money earned from the auctions were donated to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee. Donations to help those in need can be made here at their website.

The auction was set up in part by Sheeran’s parents. The charity is to help the youth of his home county of Suffolk. Proceeds from the event will help the Charity GeeWizz which wants “to redevelop a playground for children with special educational needs and disabilities“.  The playground in question is at the Thomas Wolsey Ormiston Academy which is in Ipswich. it is estimated to cost up to £300,000.

Ed Sheeran rose to fame back in 2011 after he appeared on “Later… with Jools Holland” where he performed his debut single ‘The A Team’ which lead up to the release of his critically acclaimed album ‘Plus’. Before 2011 Sheeran started by playing small gigs and collaborating with friends like the singer Passenger. Sheeran started to get recognition as his songs were viewed on YouTube and Elton John. Sheeran also made it on to the iTunes chart at number 2 after collaborations with grime artists.

With the release of Divide and its instant success, Sheeran went on a 2 year none stop tour. Starting on the 16th of March 2017 in Turin, Italy, Sheeran took his tour around the globe finally ending on the 26 of August 2019 in Ipswich, England. After the tour finished the Popstar announced on his social media that he will be taking a prolonged break and has since been off the grid apart from announcing the birth of his child.

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After his continuing success, and three critically acclaimed solo albums (Plus, Multiply, Divide), an exhibition in Suffolk was set up, the exhibition called “Ed Sheeran: Made in Suffolk” tells the story of Sheeran’s rise to fame. The end date is on the final day of the Sheeran exhibition is the same day as the charity auction where his parents want to create a lasting legacy for the Popstar with his inclusion in the auction.

Other celebrities will be taking part in the auction including Kylie Minogue, and Usain Bolt. David Beckham is donating a signed photo and one of his England Football shirt. Guitars from John Mayer, Snow Patrol, and the Cockney Rebel frontman Steve Harley will also be in the action as well as other memorabilia from Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, and the Rolling Stones.

The Auction opened yesterday (22nd of October 2020) and online bids are now being accepted. Fans and spectators can all place bids on all items and memorabilia available. The auction is due to run till the 8th of November 2020.