Tony Iommi’s guitar sells for huge fee at auction in aid of cancer charity
A guitar belonging to Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi has raised more than £50,000 for a cancer charity.
The instrument was auctioned in aid of the Heartlands Hospital Charity in Birmingham as part of a fundraising effort to pay for a new state-of-the-art Haematology and Oncology Centre.
Notably, Iommi was previously diagnosed with lymphoma in 2012, but thankfully, his treatment was successful, and he confirmed in 2016 that his cancer was in remission.
Following the auction, Iommi said in a statement, “It’d be nice if other people can donate and support, to give patients the help they need. In December, we had a guitar raffled for Heartlands Hospital for their Cancer Unit and I’m glad to say it raised £53,000, which is amazing, thanks to you guys.”
The owner has been confirmed to be an American man named Shane, who will have the guitar shipped over to his home.
Charlotte Schofield, director of fundraising for Heartlands Hospital Charity, has said she feels “overwhelmed” by Iommi’s charitable gift, stating that she “could not thank him enough for his generosity and support”.
Schofield continued, “Thanks to this incredible donation we are well on our way to our fundraising goal of £150,000 and creating a beautiful space for patients to be comfortable while they receive their treatment.”
Previously, in 2018, Iommi cut the ribbon, along with fellow local cancer survivor and former footballer Carl Ikeme, on a new chemotherapy unit at Solihull Hospital in Birmingham.
With Iommi’s health struggles in the past, he recently provided an update on a new solo album, which would mark his first release in more than 20 years.
He told fans in a New Year’s Day message: “There’s a Gibson documentary coming out very, very soon and then, of course, in 2026, I shall have, definitely, definitely, my solo album out.”
He continued, “I’m really looking forward to that. I’m enjoying doing it. It’s been great fun, and I really, really hope you enjoy it, but I’ll keep you more up to date as we go on with what’s happening with that, and when it’s going to be released.”
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