Internet’s ‘Most shared image of 2016’ signed by artist and on sale for Cambridge charity

The Beatles-inspired montage of the celebrities who passed away in 2016 will support Cambridge Convoy Refugee Action Group.

The only signed print of one of the biggest viral hits on social media in recent months, a Beatles-inspired montage of the celebrities who passed away in 2016, has been donated to the charity by the artist.

Chris Barker heard that CamCRAG were using the image to promote a fundraising night featuring musicians paying tribute to stars including David Bowie, Prince and George Michael and decided to give the group the only signed copy in existence.

Chris Barker said: “It is a real one-off. Only time I’ve signed it. Dunno if anyone will care but it’s a fact!”

The charity is now auctioning the image on eBay and hopes to raise more than a £1,000 to support its work sending aid and volunteer convoys to France and Greece to support refugees.

Dona Ardeman, CamCRAG committee member and event organiser, said: “Our fundraising event is paying tribute to some of the incredible musicians who died in 2016, so this amazing image which captured so many people’s imagination was an obvious choice for the poster.

“When I started sharing it on Facebook a friend got in touch and said they knew the artist. We made contact and when he heard about our work he didn’t hesitate to donate this unique signed copy.

“We’re so grateful. It’s such a fantastic way for us to raise money to help refugees and also to raise awareness about the plight of refugees in Europe. It’s now on eBay and bidding will close during our event on February 18th. We have no idea how much it will fetch but we hope that there are some generous people out there who want to make a real difference for people displaced by civil war and terrorism, and also get the chance to own a really unique piece of pop culture.”

LegacyAid 2016, will be held at the NCI Sports and Social Club on Holland Street in Cambridge on February 18th from 7-11pm. In the spirit of LiveAid, LegacyAid will feature live music entirely from the 1980s including Prince, George Michael, David Bowie, Lemmy (Motörhead), Rick Parfitt (Status Quo), Pete Burns (Dead or Alive), and others.

The cover versions will be performed by a host of well respected musicians including Zeb Jameson (who has performed with The Pretenders and Oasis), Stewart Scissor, Joe Hillman, Liz Mitchell, Adz Queenie Bond and Helen Robertson.