Ozzy Osbourne's guitar sold as glittering Acorns This Town gala raises almost £180k for children's hospice
The glamorous Acorns This Town gala dinner surpassed expectations to raise almost £180,000 for children with life-limiting illnesses.
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The exclusive event held at Birmingham ICC on Friday night (February 28) raised a whopping £179,570 to the delight of Acorns Children Hospice chiefs who had hoped it would rake in around £100,000 on the night in aid of centres in Walsall, Birmingham and Worcester.
The successful fundraising black-tie dinner was the brainchild of Peaky Blinders and This Town creator Steven Knight who attended the event along with the stars of the BBBC drama including Levi Brown, who plays Dante Williams. It was organised to both celebrate the series and raise much-needed funds for the charity at the same time.
Among the highlights was the hugely anticipated sale of Ozzy Osbourne's signed red 2024 Gibson SG Electric guitar hosted by TV auctioneer Nick Davies, of Flog It! fame, and a display of sets and props including the This Town space suit.
After a flurry of bids starting at £10,000, the instrument donated by the Black Sabbath star went under the hammer to a collector for an impressive £15,000 top bid. In addition to Ozzy the guitar was signed by rock and metal legends, including Wolfgang Van Halen, Billy Idol, Jelly Roll, Tool’s Maynard Keenan, Metallica’s Robert Trujilo and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers who all performed at his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony last year.
Acorns Trust chief executive Trevor Johnson said: “What an incredible evening - we are truly overwhelmed by the staggering £179,570 raised.
“Music, history, and community are central to the series that inspired our gala dinner, but perhaps the most poignant theme is family. Tonight, we came together as one big Acorns family, united in our commitment to support the children and families who rely on our vital care.
“I am deeply humbled by the generosity of everyone who helped make this event such a success. None of this would have been possible without our amazing performers, the kindness of our guests and the wonderful support of Steven Knight and Kudos. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
“What we’ve achieved together is truly remarkable. The funds raised tonight will enable us to continue providing life-changing care to children and families across our region when they need it most.”
Steven, a dedicated Acorns Children's Hospice patron, said: “This was an evening that only Birmingham could put on and showed our city and the West Midlands at their very best. It was a brilliant showcase of what makes this region so special and all for the best possible cause.”
He was joined by a host of famous Midlands faces including the UB40 band led by Robin Campbell who were among the table guests at the gala.
It featured entertainment by music legend Neville Staple, frontman of The Specials, who got guests on the dance floor and rolling back the years with a string of ska and reggae hits.
Other performers were rising RnB star Indigo Marshall, Young Culture Band and former Birmingham Poet Laureate Casey Bailey.
A moving tribute was also paid to former Acorns patron, activist and poet Benjamin Zephaniah who died in 2023.
Generous diners who had snapped up tickets at £165 per person needed little invitation by compere David Sharpe to dig deep in their pockets to snap up other luxury lots including holidays, art and screen scripts, plus £30 tickets for a £2,500 diamond ring raffle which the winner donated to the auction. The ring subsequently sold for £1,700.
Acorns needs around £35,000 each day to provide its children’s hospice care, with two thirds of that amount coming from generous donations and community fundraising.
