East Anglian Children’s Hospices bring forward auction of Ed Sheeran’s garments after significant public interest

ross.waldron@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 14:24, 14 November 2023

| Updated: 14:27, 14 November 2023

A children’s charity is starting a planned auction of a music star’s possessions, saying it needs to ‘strike while the iron’s hot’.

East Anglian Children’s Hospices (EACH) will take a sale of Ed Sheeran’s garments and accessories live today (November 14) after ‘overwhelming’ public interest.

The majority of the nearly 450 items will be sold on the charity’s eBay site, and includes boxer shorts, jumpers, trousers, hats and jackets, as well as Ipswich Town merchandise.

EACH e-commerce manager Scott Campbell and deputy Bethany Watchman with some of Sheeran's donations. Picture: EACH

The first 20 items dropped at midday with another 40 going online at 8pm tonight.

EACH director of retails Ian Nicolson said: “It’s been an incredible couple of days and the feeling is we need to strike while the iron’s hot.

““We’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the public and media interest and found ourselves in the spotlight across the country; news of our auction has even gone international and been picked up in Seattle and Minnesota.

Sheeran performing at The Nook Appeal Gala Dinner at the Natural History Museum in London. Picture: EACH

“It’s been fantastic and our top priority, as ever, is to maximise opportunities and raise as much as possible for our charity – that’s our sole focus.”

The donations by Sheeran, who is a long time supporter of EACH after becoming an ambassador in 2014, are set to raise thousands for the charity.

Garments will not be washed or ironed – they will be sold as received – and all sales will be accompanied by a signed letter of authenticity.

A pair of boxer shorts owned by Sheeran, being auctioned by EACH. Picture: EACH

A onesie owned by Ed Sheeran, being auctioned by EACH. Picture: EACH

Mr. Nicolson continued: “It’s very important to stress that no-one will miss out on the opportunity to bid.

“We may have brought things forward but everything will still be available for bids on Thursday.”

The first items that went live at lunchtime today will be available to bid on until 12pm on Sunday, November 19, whilst the later batch that will drop at 8pm will be under auction until 8pm on Thursday, November 23.