A unique opportunity to visit the iconic Benton End House & Garden Hadleigh with Sarah Cook, Holder of the National Plant Collection of Irises bred by Sir Cedric Morris; plus an overnight stay with dinner at The Marquis Layham are among the lots in the online Ed Sheeran: Made in Suffolk Legacy Auction.

Suffolk artists James Chambury's oil painting 'Sunday Morning on the Hard Pin Mill' is lot number 141 in the auction and comes with a hardback copy of the book 'James Chambury - Light & Shade' written by his daughters Louise and Nicola.

Suffolk charity GeeWizz brought together the worlds of music, film, sport, hospitality, and art to raise funds and create a lasting legacy for children and young adults with disabilities and life limiting illness in Suffolk and across East Anglia.

Celebrity farmer Jimmy Doherty looks forward to giving a personal tour of Jimmy's Farm including lunch; whilst award winning chefs and fine dining establishments, across the region, have united to provide culinary experiences, including ICE Cook School and Maison Bleue Bury St Edmunds, The Brewers Rattlesden, Fox & Goose Fressingfield and Milsoms Kesgrave Hall, Ipswich.

Ed Sheeran: Made in Suffolk Legacy Auction is hosted by thesaleroom.com, in partnership with Lacy Scott Knight, and is open to online bidders from today until 8 November 2020, visit: www.edsheeranmadeinsuffolklegacyauction.com.

More than 220 highly collectable items of memorabilia, original artworks and unique experiences will feature in the Legacy Auction, donated by a host of international names from around the world. These include many high-profile East Anglian residents, including Ed Sheeran, Brian Eno, Steve Harley, Jimmy Doherty, Richard Curtis and Emma Freud. Also included, are unique experiences across the region, donated by Ipswich Town FC, Ice Cook School, Milsoms Kesgrave Hall, Anglia Indoor Karting, Newmarket Races, Classic Team Lotus, Ipswich Town FC, Decoy Studios, Sundown and Latitude Festivals.

John and Imogen Sheeran, Ed's parents, wanted to create a lasting legacy from the Ed Sheeran: Made in Suffolk exhibition, currently open at Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich, to support children and young adults across the county. Having met Gina Long, founder of the children's charity GeeWizz, the idea of a Legacy Auction was created and, over the last year and throughout COVID-19 lockdown, Gina has worked closely with them to turn it into reality beyond all their expectations. 

The auction has been made possible with pro-bono support of many East Anglian companies, which have united for the cause. Proceeds raised from the Auction, under GeeWizz's auspices, will support the redevelopment of a playground at Thomas Wolsey Ormiston Academy in Ipswich, for children with special educational needs and disabilities.  Zest, part of St Elizabeth Hospice, will also benefit.  Funds raised will help to enable teenagers and young adults with progressive and life limiting illnesses, to live their lives to the full, supported by specialist nurses and an outreach programme.

Several items have been donated by Ed and his family: they include possibly the most romantic gift ever Ed's handwritten lyrics to the global hit Perfect; a signed ticket and handbill from his first ever gig at the Royal British Legion in Framlingham (entry £3!); Ed's homemade CD of the You Need Me EP 2009 and a collection of his childhood Lego® bricks.

Music fans can also look forward to bidding for guitars signed by Ed Sheeran and Steve Harley; and a Rolling Stones gold disc and very rare Beggars Banquet photographic print both donated by Bill Wyman. Melvynn Benn of Festival Republic is offering 4 VIP weekend guest tickets to Latitude Festival for the next 10 years, as well as work experience as part of the onsite team at Latitude 2021. Whilst Sundown has donated VIP hospitality at next year's festival and the chance to be a street style photographer to cover the event over the weekend. Decoy Studios, located near Woodbridge, have offered the chance to join award winning producer Cenzo Townshend for a day to mix or record a track and a Hoax Live Session for up-and-coming musicians, including video and photographs.

Original artworks include a one-off, signed photographic print captured by Brian Eno at Benacre Beach in Suffolk, whilst out walking during lockdown. Visual artists across the region have contributed stunning works, including sculptors Laurence Edwards, Alice Andrea Ewing, Roger Hardy and Sean Hedges-Quinn. Also featured are original paintings by Lydia Brooks, Emma Connelly, Cris Coe, James Chambury, India Durban, Jelly Green, Ruth Simpson, Zheni Warner and artist potter Jonathan Keep.

From the world of film and entertainment, there is the chance to bid for a film cell from Love Actually donated and signed by Richard Curtis and Emma Freud, along with a framed, annotated page from the original script (containing one of the most famous scenes in the movie between Keira Knightley and Andrew Lincoln). The Regent Theatre Ipswich has donated a box for four for an entire year (worth £30,000) and The New Wolsey Theatre donation includes an associate membership of the Director's Circle.

For sports enthusiasts, Frankie Dettori has donated his riding boots worn to historic victory in the Kind George VI Stakes 2020. There is also the chance to enjoy VIP Hospitality at Newmarket Races a morning on The Gallops with trainer Rae Guest or exclusive use of Topthorn Equestrian Arena Stonham Aspal. Ipswich Town FC have donated the exclusive use of Portman Road Stadium for two teams, with ITFC Legends Terry Butcher and George Burley as team managers. Fynn Valley Golf Club have donated 4 corporate memberships for a year. For Petrol Heads, you can hold your own Grand Prix with Anglia Indoor Karting, join Clive Chapman, son of motor racing icon Colin Chapman, for a personal guided tour of Classic Team Lotus, Hethel, a Combine Harvester Experience at Hall Farm Bury St Edmunds and VIP Hospitality at the Porsche Carrera Cup, Snetterton with the loan of a Porsche 911 for a weekend.

For an ultimate adrenaline rush, a Wing Walk Experience in Essex or a GoApe Team Adventure in Thetford Forest Norfolk. There is also the chance to bid for a fascinating Day Behind the Scenes with Suffolk Police Constabulary, including Forensics and the Police Dog Handlers Team.

Handcrafted items from across the region, include a half day at Doe Leather's design studios; Hicks & Brown Fedora & clutch bag; a stunning 18-carat diamond and enamel brooch donated by Bishop Miller Auctioneers; a Suffolk Ball-Back Chair designed and crafted by Otis Luxton; a SMART Garden Office and bespoke kitchen furniture (worth £20,000) donated by Bury Kitchens & Bathrooms and Mereway Kitchens. Whilst horticulturalists can enjoy a garden design consultation with Janey Auchincloss.

The Auction also offers bespoke accommodation and special access to exclusive venues, including an invitation from Lord and Lady Somerleyton to stay at their magnificent home, Somerleyton Hall.  Plus, a Morgan Motor Company weekend experience with Ravenwood Hotel Bury St Edmunds. For those who love the great outdoors, Events Under Canvas and Kenton Hall Stowmarket have donated luxury glamping experiences. Cockle Pie Cottage Cromer, Little Lodge Farm Brandon, Seckford Hall and Ufford Park, both located in Woodbridge, and The Swan Hotel Southwold have all donated luxury accommodation and hospitality, whilst Greene King have pledged the chance to have a pub in your back garden with an Ice Breaker Truck with 104 pints and a bar person to serve you and your guests.

"We are so grateful to have received such an amazing variety of lots, along with £100,000 headline sponsorship from Guy Nicholls of Tru7 Group, who didn't hesitate to come on board from day one" said Gina Long Founder of GeeWizz Children's Charity and Organise of the Legacy Auction. "Despite such challenging times, the Legacy Auction has been supported by sponsorship and expert, professional services in kind from many companies and individuals.  We are truly overwhelmed by the incredible generosity from across Suffolk and East Anglia."

"We are so pleased that the auction will create important, lasting legacies." Ed's father, John Sheeran said.  "Proceeds will help to improve the quality of care and wellbeing for children and young adults across the county of Suffolk and beyond. Imogen and I send our thanks to everyone who has organised, supported and donated to the auction.  We cannot think of a better legacy for the exhibition to leave."

For further information, including a full list of auction lots, to register to bid until 8 November or to donate an auction lot (up until 1 November), visit www.edsheeranmadeinsuffolklegacyauction.com. and follow on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for regular updates #SuffolkLegacy