Photo by Kevin Nixon
Heavy Music Awards have announced that the Heavy Metal Truants are the winners of this year’s ‘The H’ award sponsored by Ticketmaster, awarded for the exceptional lengths they go to every year to raise cash for children’s charities, all in the name of heavy metal.
A key fundraising activity is their legendary 175-mile cycle from London to Download Festival every June where metal fans, bands and industry folk hit the road to the hallowed heavy metal ground of Castle Donington.
Through this epic annual challenge and other metalhead activities such as the Monster Rock Auctions and Heavy Metal Curries, the Heavy Metal Truants have raised over one million pounds for charity. Their current charity partners include Childline, Teenage Cancer Trust, Save the Children and also Nordoff Robbins, which is a charity partner of Ticketmaster and the Heavy Music Awards.
‘The H’ award recognises an individual or organisation that has gone to exceptional lengths to make the rock and metal scene a more positive place. It’s the first time that winner has been revealed before the live HMA event, giving more time for industry and fans to celebrate the winners’ tremendous journey and achievements.
Since the Heavy Music Awards launched in 2017, it has been built around a philanthropic philosophy. Tickets to the event have always been offered in return for a charity contribution, which allows the event to make a sizeable donation every year to its charity partner.
Andy Pritchard from the Heavy Music Awards said: “We’re hugely excited to welcome back the great team at Ticketmaster for a fifth consecutive year at the Heavy Music Awards, once again to support our community-focused award The H, which will be presented this year to the exceptional Heavy Metal Truants. HMT have raised an unfathomably huge amount for a number of charities, including our own charity partner Nordoff Robbins, and created a very special community around their activities. We could not think of a more deserving recipient, and we hope this award allows more people to find out about and sign up for their events.”
“The Heavy Music Awards support of Heavy Metal Truants is proof positive of the kind of community that this music represents,” says Alex Milas’ from Heavy Music Truants. “The work done by the four kids charities we support is inspirational, and I don’t think there’s a Heavy Metal Truant out there who’ll object to me dedicating this award to them for inspiring so many of us to hit the road. Look out Marvel, these are the real heroes.”
Andrew Parsons, MD of Ticketmaster UK said: ‘We are thrilled to present ‘The H’ award to the Heavy Metal Truants. Their dedication is extraordinary, and the nature of their annual cycle to Download is a true reflection of the community spirit of the heavy music scene, and the kindness and generosity that it carries. We wish them the very best of luck with this year’s expedition and look forward to seeing them at the finish line.’
The Heavy Metal Truants will receive their award live on stage at the Heavy Music Awards on 5 June at the O2 Forum Kentish Town.
Want to donate? Ticketmaster’s very own Senior Client Account Manger Edd Leigh is taking part in this year’s 175-mile cycle from London to Download Festival, also known as Heavy Metal Truants X: The 10 Commandments to raise cash for Heavy Metal Truants and the children’s charities that they support. To donate please click here.
