Unique Mojo Ford Transit seats to be auctioned for War Child

Two unique Ford Transit seats, designed for Mojo music magazine's 2008 Honours List awards event and autographed by an impressive collection of music industry stars including Duffy, John Martyn, Paul Weller and Phil Collins will be auctioned in the run up to Christmas 2008, with all proceeds going to the War Child charity.

Music fans, autograph hunters and collectors of Ford Transit memorabilia in Britain can bid to own one of these elegant pieces of furniture in online auctions on the well-known Ebay website (ebay.co.uk). Each seat will be listed individually and the listings will "go live" for a period of ten days from Saturday, December 6.

The two leather-wrapped Ford Transit driver's seats were created for the 2008 Mojo Honours List awards event in June 2008, and were signed by a host of stars and celebrities who attended the music industry bash in London. All proceeds from the sale of the seats will be passed to War Child, the charity supported by Mojo Magazine at the annual awards event.

"The Ford Transit has played a unique role in music culture by being the one vehicle that nearly all new bands start touring in, and that so many roadies rely on to carry all of their gear," said Ian Slater, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for Ford of Europe. "It is entirely fitting that Ford says thank you to the music business in this way as it is one of the industries that has contributed so much to the Transit's colourful 43-year history!"

"Above all, we're delighted to be associated with the Mojo magazine Honours List awards in this unique way, and to help raise funds for a special charity like War Child," Slater added.

Priceless
Two grey leather Transit seats were taken straight from the production line and built into a contemporary frame for everyday use that would look at home in any modern office or living room.

The headrest on each seat carries an embossed Mojo Honours List logo, and the seats recline exactly as they would when fitted in a Transit. Discreet Ford Transit logos are carried on the sides of the aluminium frame.

But the main attraction that makes these seats virtually priceless is not the seats themselves, but the signatures carried on the cushions.

Music legends attending the Mojo Honours List 2008 event were asked to sign the seats especially for the charity auction. Each seat will be auctioned individually, and each has its own collection of autographs.

Among the stars who signed one or both seats were singer Duffy, who won the Mojo Song of the Year, Nick Cave, who scooped the Best Album category supported by Ford Transit, Judy Collins who won the Mojo Special Award, and Phil Collins of Genesis who were honoured with a Mojo Lifetime Achievement award.

Other signatures on the seats include Motorhead frontman Lemmy, John Martyn, Rat Scabies, Paul Weller, Edwyn Collins, Phil Jupitus, Sandie Shaw, Seasick Steve, and Dave Edmunds.

The timing of the online auction should allow the winning bidders to receive their trophies before Christmas 2008. They will be delivered, appropriately, in a Ford Transit.

Mojo and War Child
War Child was the charity supported by Mojo magazine via the 2008 Mojo Honours List event which presented 21 awards to a hugely diverse group of music legends in front of 500 invited guests from the industry. (http://blog.mojo4music.com/honours2008/)

"War Child was the charity of choice for Mojo because music has always been an important part of the organisation's work," said Phil Alexander, Mojo Editor in Chief. "With the help of the Ford Transit and our other Honours List partners we're delighted to be able to raise a significant amount for War Child to support their efforts, which include a pioneering music therapy programme in Bosnia."

War Child works with children affected by war in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The charity works with children who have been hit hardest by the joint forces of poverty, conflict and social exclusion. Their groundbreaking work with former child soldiers, street children and children in prison has supported and helped thousands who would otherwise not have been able to reintegrate with their community, gain access to education or enjoy sustainable livelihood support. (warchild.org.uk).