Smashed and signed: Muse guitar raises £50k for charity

The guitar was used extensively during the band’s most recent world tour Credit: PA

A guitar which was played, smashed and then signed by Muse frontman Matt Bellamy has raised €60,000 charity.

The guitar was used for the band’s recently-completed Drones world tour. During a show at The 02 arena in London on Friday 15 April, Bellamy used the guitar during the song ‘Reapers’ before flinging it high into the air.

Video footage uploaded onto YouTube shows the moment it crashed on to the stage:

It was then signed by Bellamy and bandmates Chris Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard.

The instrument was sold in a silent auction, with the highest bid of €60,000 coming from an avid fan of the band, Christina.

The money will go to Teignbridge-based youth arts charity The Helen Foundation, which was launched in 2006 to support young people achieve their ambitions, particularly in the arts. All three members of the international rock band are patrons of the charity.

Matt Bellamy is from Teignmouth, Devon Credit: PA

Trustee Alex Kirk, who was at The 02 arena show when Bellamy used the guitar, said the charity was overwhelmed by the donation.