Download Festival and The Heavy Metal Truants launch The Download 20 Auction to coincide with Download Festival’s 20th Anniversary. This historic auction includes rare memorabilia which will be auctioned off to support four children’s charities through the Truants Foundation.
The online auction, which also includes a raffle component for select bundles, is located at https://auction.heavymetaltruants.com and will go live from 10AM and remain online for one week. Entries will close on Thursday 6th July 2023 at 23:59 UK time. Winners will be announced for each item the following week, with proceeds going to the Heavy Metal Truants chosen charities: Teenage Cancer Trust, Nordoff & Robbins Music Therapy, Childline, and Save The Children.
“If you’re after hand-written lyrics or a guitar that’s responsible for some of the greatest songs of our age, then this auction is for you!” says HMT co-founder Alexander Milas. “The incredible generosity the rock and metal community has shown is really astonishing, and I can’t wait to see what these remarkable museum-quality items bring for our wonderful chosen charities.”
The Heavy Metal Truants were co-founded by Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood and ex-Metal Hammer editor Alexander Milas in 2013. Now in their eleventh year, they have so far raised £1.2 million via their annual 150-mile cycle ride from London to Donington Park, the home of Download festival, as well as a host of events, auctions and raffles in addition to virtual challenges which allow walkers, runners, and cyclists to participate no matter where they are in the world.
“The Heavy Metal Truants is a great way for the rock and metal community to come together and help disadvantaged children,” says Smallwood. “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!”
