UK record labels association the BPI has raised over £4,000 in donations for over 200 framed photos that chart the four-decade history of The BRIT Awards as well as 30 years of the Mercury Prize.

The prints have adorned the walls of the BPI’s County Hall offices over a number of years, but with the trade body soon to vacate and then move to new premises, the BPI decided to invite staff and industry colleagues to bid for each them (with a £10 minimum donation) to raise money for War Child – the specialist charity for children affected by conflict. The funds raised will be used by War Child to help support children affected by war in Ukraine, Yemen & conflict zones around the world.

Over 200 photographs taken by official BRITs and Mercury Prize photographer John Marshall were put up for grabs on a first-come-first-served basis, including the items that proved most popular – iconic images of Amy Winehouse (2007), Prince (2006) and the Spice Girls (1997). Other classic photos snapped up included ones of Beyoncé, Oasis, Tom Jones and Robbie Williams, Take That, Arctic Monkeys, Dave, Stormzy, Florence + The Machine, Paul McCartney, Manic Street Preachers, Emeli Sandé, and David Bowie, to name just a few.  

BPI’s Director of Events & Charities, Maggie Crowe OBE, said:      

“I’m thrilled to see such a generous response from the music community, which will mean a lot to our friends at War Child –  huge thanks to everyone for their donations. Although it’s a little sad to see these cherished items go, we simply won’t have the space for them in our new offices, and rather than see them gather dust in storage somewhere, it’s wonderful that they can instead bring pleasure to others and do a lot of good at the same time.”  

Commenting for War Child, Head of War Child Records, Richard Clarke, said:

“We are incredibly grateful for the support from the BPI, who have been an amazing long term partner to War Child over the years. War Child has always relied on and benefitted from the support of the music industry to make a difference to vulnerable children whose lives have been torn apart by war. So we truly value this generosity from the BPI and its members, and the funds raised will help us to support children affected by war in Ukraine, Yemen and conflict zones around the world.”

The BPI will move to new offices later this summer – details TBC.