Loading ...Just a quick note to let you all know that James (the man behind the t-shirt label defunkd ) is hosting a series of 20 charity ebay auctions, selling off original 1985 Live Aid t-shirts.
100% of the profits from these auctions are going towards Africa Aid, so it’s a worthy cause and the tees are oh-so-retro-cool!
Check out these monumental ebay auctions right now by clicking right here!
James has kindly supplied the following detailed description of the defunkd/Africa Aid charity initiative…
ORIGINAL LIVE AID CONCERT SHIRTS AUCTIONED FOR AFRICA
A rare discovery of 20 mint vintage Live Aid concert shirts are being auctioned online with 100% of profits donated to benefit the original cause.
As one of Canada’s most popular online vintage shirt retailers, Defunkd, based out of Toronto, Ontario, is hosting these exclusive eBay auctions. Beginning April 2 and continuing until May 10, visitors to Defunkd.com will have an opportunity to bid on original concert shirts from Live Aid - the world’s biggest rock festival held in 1985 to raise money for starvation in Africa.
This one-of-a-kind charity auction is the result of a partnership conceived by Defunkd owner, James Applegath, and Africa Aid, a non-profit organization which provides financial assistance to underprivileged African communities through a range of initiatives, from AIDS-related issues to education and sustainable development. In an effort to pay homage to the aims of the original Live Aid concert, Africa Aid has chosen their School Lunch Program to be the recipient of the proceeds. This program provides a nutritious lunch daily to hundreds of refugee children in Ghana.
The shirts were discovered by Applegath himself, a vintage shirt expert who has sold thousands of rare vintage concert shirts through his business. Buried behind a group of empty boxes at one of his supply outlets, Applegath was surprised and delighted by the find. “It is without a doubt my best discovery,” he says. “I have never come across one of these shirts, let alone twenty of them in pristine condition. I felt a little like Geraldo Rivera did, searching through Al Capone’s vaults - except I actually found something.” Having been involved in other community and charitable efforts, Applegath realized the value of these shirts extended beyond their monetary worth. “After doing some research, I learned that hunger issues in Africa have long been overshadowed by the rise in prominence over AIDS. I figured that my partnership with Africa Aid and this auction would be a great way to raise funds for a cause that needs renewed awareness,” he added. Applegath says that in the past, some Live Aid shirts have fetched up to $500 in online auctions.
“We’re excited to partner with Defunkd in an effort to bridge the gap between consumerism, international aid, and awareness,” says Steven Selzer, Vice President of Marketing at Africa Aid. “Our School Lunch program has been a huge success in the Buduburam Liberian Refugee Settlement in Ghana and every dollar donated from these auctions will go directly to feeding the 213 refugee children and providing them educational empowerment that will last a lifetime.” In partnership with their African implementation partner, Africa Aid created the School Lunch and Educational Enhancement Program (SLP) to provide these underprivileged students with the necessary incentive to participate in school and increase their ability to learn by improving their nutritional well-being.
Defunkd (www.defunkd.com) is an online vintage t-shirt boutique specializing in the sale of rare and collectible concert t-shirts. Africa Aid (www.africaaid.com) is a non-profit organization helping to enhance the quality of life in underprivileged African communities.
For more information please contact: James Applegath, 416-850-4270,
james@defunkd.com, or visit www.defunkd.comURL to Live Aid auction homepage: http://stores.ebay.com/The-Defunkd-Store
I was under the impression that 75% of the proceeds of the auction were going to charity?