Over $13,000 has been raised to help musician Tom A Smith after his “beloved guitar” was stolen throughout a band journey to London.

Smith, a 20 year-old singer from Sunderland, was touring to London along with his band for a radio interview and efficiency when their van was burglarised on the London Gateway service station. The break-in resulted within the lack of all their musical gear, laptops, and even treatment belonging to one of many band members.

Tom reveals that his grandfather had given him the guitar round seven years in the past and describes it as his “prized possession” and “the best factor I personal”.

“In reality, I solely began bringing it to exhibits not too long ago as a result of I used to be anxious it’d get stolen,” he tells the BBC.

In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Smith’s father, Andy, expressed his gratitude to those that contributed to the fundraising efforts: “Thanks from the underside of our hearts – you’ve made me cry.”

He notes on the Gofundme web page that “Tom’s guitar was a magnificence, gifted by his grandad and adopted him by means of his complete profession. He primarily performs electrical lately however he writes each tune on it and even used it to play within the centre circle at his beloved soccer membership’s stadium in entrance of 40k followers.”

He additionally highlights the lack of one other treasured instrument: a bass guitar given to band member Katie for her twenty first birthday: “Katie’s bass guitar was a fastidiously chosen twenty first birthday current from her dad. It actually meant the world to her and is irreplaceable.”

Regardless of the setback, the band’s scheduled interview on Radio X went forward, although they had been unable to carry out dwell as deliberate. Smith’s publish on Fb acquired a wave of sympathetic responses, together with one which tagged music legend Elton John for assist.

As Andy explains, the aim of the funding “isn’t for a like for like alternative”, however to supply essential help for the band to allow them to proceed performing.