I had break away to congratulate Ari for his charity purchase today. The auction in London just ended with the winning bid at 60,000 GBP ( about $123,000). The funds go to charity.

About the Auction and Charity:

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY AND THE CROWD GOES WILD GIBSON GUITAR SCULPTURE BY ROSIE BROOKS

Acrylic and matt varnish on fibreglass, signed by Sir Paul McCartney

3100 mm by 1070 mm

The bidder (Ari) will be required to donate the guitar to Great Ormond Street Hospital. They will be invited to present the guitar to the hospital on the 17th December 07 with Sir Paul McCartney at the hospital's Christmas event with many of the children present. The bidder will receive a special Gibson Les Paul signed by Sir Paul McCartney at the event and an engraved plaque with the bidders name on it will be placed in the hospital by the 10ft guitar to mark the donation.

Gibson Guitartown London is a community art project aimed at bringing the community of London together through art, music and charitable giving.  Through The Gibson Foundation, the proceeds from ticket sales to the event on Thursday, November 8th, and the sale of the guitars at auction will benefit three non-profit organizations.  The benefiting organizations are: The Prince's Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust and Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.  Thank you for your generous support of these organizations by participating in the auction and attending the event.