Adam Ant Charity Fundraising
- pip
- Apr 16
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 17
Every now and then, you get the chance to use your passions for something bigger than yourself. Supporting Daz Sims and his incredible charity fundraising efforts was exactly that for me.
Daz isn’t just a radio DJ, musician and entertainer, he’s an all round great guy who has raised over £1.6 million for charity, earning a British Empire Medal for his efforts. When I had the chance to be involved in helping him raise funds connected to my lifelong idol Adam Ant I just had to it! Read the full story on the Adam Ant charity fundraising below...
Adam Ant, Liverpool Philharmonic, 16th November 2025 - photo by Phil Pike
Antmusic at the York Barbican
On 19th November myself, Daz, Darren Norton, and Mark Owen were lucky enough to attend Adam Ant's gig at the York Barbican, part of his 2025 Antmusic UK Tour.
Daz had arranged for us to meet Will Crewdson, of Scant Regard and also Adam's guitarist, backstage before the gig who had kindly offered his support to get a couple of items signed by Adam - a guitar donated by Daz's cousin Jane Keedwell, and a Pip Pop Art print donated by myself. Adam generously signed both the guitar and the print backstage in his dressing room which were returned to us after the gig.
As a way of giving my personal thanks to both Adam and Will I also took the opportunity to give them both a copy of my book 'PIP POP! The Art of 80s Music' with a personal handwritten note from me inside each copy. It was a surreal moment as nearly 20 years after queueing at Waterstones Piccadilly in 2006 to get Adam to sign his book, I was now giving him a copy of mine. The universe has a funny way of coming full circle!
Adam Ant Charity Fundraising - Signed Guitar Auction
In the following days, the guitar went straight onto eBay as a charity auction and quickly attracted huge interest. Daz was raising money for three year old Drae, who lives with the rare condition TBCK Syndrome. Once the auction had closed an amazing £2,107 after fees was added to the fundraising page; an outstanding result for such a worthwhile cause. If you would like to support further then all donations will be greatly appreciated here:- www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/dazsrock4drae
Adam Ant in his dressing room with the signed guitar, York Barbican
Daz personally travelled to Norwich to deliver the guitar to the winning bidder, Tommy Johnson who was absolutely thrilled with his new piece of Ant history, and his kindness was truly appreciated.
Daz with winning bidder Tommy Johnson and the signed guitar
Adam Ant Charity Fundraising - Signed Print Auction
Following the success of the guitar auction, the signed 12 inch fine art print was also auctioned via Daz's Facebook page a few months later.
The artwork is of Adam with his iconic Warrior look from the Kings of the Wild Frontier era. It was the first painting I did when I started Pip Pop Art and formed part of my 80s Pop Icons Collection. The print was professionally reproduced on luxurious Perlino Cotton fine art paper. Having Adam sign a print of my actual artwork was a genuine pinch me moment for me. As a lifelong fan, it meant the world.
The response to the auction was once again fantastic, with a winning bid of £275 from Mark Humphries. This was another brilliant result, and a heartfelt thank you to Mark and everyone else who took part.
The proceeds from the print auction were supporting Daz's Rock 4 Charity fundraising for Variety the Children's Charity of Great Britain. If you would like to make a donation in support of this very worthwhile cause then you can do so here:- ww.justgiving.com/page/dazsrock4charityteam2026
Antmusic 2025 UK Tour
It turned out to be an epic few days for me as just 3 days earlier on 16th November 2025 I saw Adam Ant perform live at the Liverpool Philharmonic, meaning I ended up seeing him twice in one week.
Beforehand I’d seen some mixed chatter online about the tour but from where I was standing, Adam was his usual brilliant self. Commanding, charismatic, and every bit the icon he has always been. Over the years I’ve seen him more times than I can count (well into double figures), and this show was right up there with the best.
The night became even more special thanks to a string of lucky moments: just before the show started, a friend who couldn't attend gifted us their front row seats, far better than the ones we’d bought. At the end of the gig, Adam threw the bandana he’d worn on his belt to my partner Steph who kindly gifted it to me. I also caught Will’s guitar pick as he launched it into the crowd. And finally I managed to get hold of Adam’s setlist, completing the trio of Ant treasures which I have subsequently framed.
It was a week where everything aligned...music, memories, and a little bit of magic 🐜🖤.
Adam Ant framed gig memorabilia - bandana, ticket, guitar pick and setlist
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