We are just two weeks away from Download Festival 2023, aka Download 20!
Organisers have teamed up with The Heavy Metal Truants for a charity auction which will allow fans to get their hands on some special memorabilia while helping out such an important cause.
The auction will take place on June 29 and will see a collection of memorabilia donated by headliners from the festival from across the last two decades. The memorabilia will be auctioned off with the funds going to children’s charities.
The charities that will benefit include Teenage Cancer Trust, Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, Childline and Save the Children.
The Heavy Metal Truants was co-founded in 2013 by Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood and former Metal Hammer editor Alexander Milas in 2013. Each year they raise thousands of pounds for charity with a cycle to Download and various events, auctions and raffles and challenges.
Avenged Sevenfold, Bring Me The Horizon, David Coverdale, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Muse and System Of A Down have all already promised special items.
Festival organiser Andy Copping said: “This is about the rock and metal community coming together to do something that is truly amazing. 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.”
Rod Smallwood said: “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 added: “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!”
The auction will be online from June 29 and remain up for one week, with entries closing on July 6 at midnight.
The winning bidders will be announced the following week.