Reading and Leeds bands auction off their music gear

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Page last updated at 05:07 GMT, Thursday, 4 October 2012 06:07 UK

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By Natalie Ostroff
Newsbeat reporter Tom Meighan from Kasabian

More than 40 pieces of signed music gear from acts who performed at this summer's Reading and Leeds festivals are being auctioned in Leeds.

There will be items from headliners Kasabian, The Cure and Foo Fighters as well as other bands.

The proceeds of the auction will go to The Martin House Children's Hospice, an organisation that cares for young people with a life limiting illness.

An exhibition of the auction items will take place at Leeds Gallery.

Bidding for the items is due to start tomorrow (5 October) on eBay.

Foo Fighters' drum skin is one of the items which will be auctioned

Items include a Leeds Festival promo board signed by Kasabian, a signed set list and vinyl from The Cure and a signed drum skin from Foo Fighters.

Kasabian explained why they were supporting the charity.

"We salute the people of Martin House, and contributing something to help them raise some funds is of course something we didn't hesitate about," they said.

"We commend them on all their great work and dedication over the years.

"Make sure you bid for a bit of Reading and Leeds history."

The event will also be the launch of Centre Stage 2013, where bands under the age of 21 will compete to win £1,000 of musical gear and the chance to play at the Reading and Leeds festival next year.

The money they raise for their performance will go towards the hospice.

Festival Republic, which owns several festivals including Reading and Leeds, has supported the hospice for many years.

Sarah Smith, a Martin House fundraiser, said: "This auction really encapsulates what Centre Stage is all about - fundraising and raising the profile of Martin House to a new audience through music.

"It also takes the support Leeds and Reading offer us to another level and we feel very privileged to be increasingly involved with such wonderful people."