Ed Sheeran’s Guitars for Good

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Musicians have long used their celebrity to support humanitarian causes – from Live Aid to Bono’s longstanding advocacy for Africa. Now singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has announced a partnership with American guitar manufacturer C.F. Martin & Company to aid one of his favorite causes, English care facilities for children with life-threatening conditions.

Rising to fame with hits “The A Team” and “Lego House,” the 22-year-old hopes to channel his popularity to raise funds for the East Anglia Children’s Hospices (EACH) through sales of the soon-to-be-available Ed Sheeran Signature Edition acoustic guitar. All royalties from the guitar will benefit EACH, and with a fresh new look featuring design cues from Sheeran, demand for the instrument and returns to the charity both should be high. With locations in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Sheeran’s native Suffolk, EACH’s ambitious mission is also supported by another famous patron (hint: she’s royally popular with Sweet Lemon readers). It provides health care to children suffering from life-threatening conditions, as well as emotional support to the families of their young warriors. EACH services include home health care, 24-hour telephone support, spiritual care, and an array of treatments ranging from music therapy to hydrotherapy.

EACH Chief Executive, Graham Butland, affirmed, “We’re absolutely delighted that EACH will benefit from the sales of this special guitar and we’d like to thank Ed, C.F. Martin & Co., and absolutely everyone involved in the project.” Rutland pointed out the additional advantage to the publicity from this endeavor: “Not only will the guitar raise much-needed funds for the charity, but will also greatly raise the profile of EACH and the vital care and support we provide to life-threatened children and their families.”

Fun Fact: Sheeran’s mother, Imogen, lent a hand as well, designing a bracelet for EACH!

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First picking up a Martin guitar early on, Ed seems like a perfect match for the acoustic masters. He divulged, “I have been a fan of Martin since I started playing guitar and songwriting, and I am honored to have a Signature Edition that bears my own personal imprint.”

And Ed hasn’t forgotten about you, Sheeran fans. Anxious to share the acoustic love, the musician mused, “I can’t wait to get on stage and perform with it for my fans – I hope they enjoy my new Martin as much as I do.” Don’t worry, Ed – we will!

C.F. Martin & Co. LX1E Ed Sheeran Signature Edition {Image via}

The LX1E Ed Sheeran Signature Edition guitar is engraved with an “each,” honoring the Children’s Hospices, as well as Ed’s “+” – mirroring the title of his 2011 debut studio album. The headstock also features the famous “+”. It’s compact enough for the on-the-go musician and is also available for you lucky lefties! The signature guitar is listed at $599.00 in the United States.