Iron Maiden, Metallica, Whitesnake and more contribute items to Download 20 Auction
Raising money for four children's charities
Last updated 25th May 2023
Download Festival and The Heavy Metal Truants are joining forces to launch an epic charity auction raising money for four children’s charities.
Coinciding with Download Festival’s completely sold-out 20th anniversary event, The Download 20 Auction features an array of unique and rare memorabilia donated by Download headliners and performers from the past two decades.
Acts who have contributed items include Iron Maiden, Metallica, Whitesnake’s David Coverdale, Avenged Sevenfold, Bring Me The Horizon, Muse, System of a Down and more.
The auction will launch on Thursday 29th June 2023 and it will remain online for a week before closing at midnight on Thursday 6th July 2023.
Winners of each respective auction will be notified the following week, and all proceeds will go directly to the Heavy Metal Truants’ four chosen charities: Teenage Cancer Trust, Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, Childline, and Save The Children.
“This is about the rock and metal community coming together to do something that is truly amazing,” enthuses Download Festival organiser Andy Copping.
“The response we’ve had from artists and people behind the scenes has been truly phenomenal, and I can’t wait for people to see what we’ve put together.”
Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood, who co-founded Heavy Metal Truants with journalist Alexander Milas in 2013, adds: “The Heavy Metal Truants is a great way for the rock and metal community to come together and help disadvantaged children.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan, if you’re in the industry or in a band: you can make a difference by helping to improve the lives of kids and young people by joining us or supporting these activities, and that counts for a lot!”
Alexander Milas comments: “The Download 20 Auction is about history. Over 20 years Andy Copping and all at Download have left an indelible mark on this genre of music. Good luck to the bidders: please bid generously, and often!”
Since their inception a decade ago, The Heavy Metal Truants have raised over £1.2 million for charity through their annual bike ride to Download Festival, together with auctions, raffles and virtual challenges.