Grammy-winner and icon Mark Knopfler has hosted a run of fundraising events in support of Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America, ahead of the launch of his charity single ‘Going Home (Theme From Local Hero)’, due to be released March 15, via BMG.

In January, Knopfler sold his guitar collection at Christie’s for over £8M, with the Gibson Les Paul ‘Gold Top’ Standard, signed by many artists from the project, selling for over £403k. Also offered for auction were exclusive items of music memorabilia - future coveted pieces of music history.

On March 8, Mark Knopfler hosted a private fundraising event at Newcastle United, where six guitars and limited edition artwork prints were auctioned, raising over £100k for Teenage Cancer Trust/Teen Cancer America. The full song then was premiered to those attending and was followed by a Q&A with footballer Alan Shearer.

March 9 saw Mark Knopfler attend the Newcastle v Wolves match where he premiered a clip of the new recording to 50,000 attendees, watch the clip below.

A limited edition print run of just 150 copies of Sir Peter Blake’s artwork for the UK release of ‘Going Home’ is available to purchase here. Each print has been hand-signed by Sir Peter Blake CBE and will be sold to benefit Teenage Cancer Trust.

The full nine-minute version of the single including all 60 performers will be released in a variety of digital formats including a Dolby Atmos mix. Physical formats of the single will include CD, and a special 12” with etched b-side and deluxe CD+BluRay, including sleeve notes by Paul Sexton. The 12” release features a shorter edit with 48 performers.

The all-star Guitar Hereos lineup features members of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Dire Straits, The Who, Pink Floyd, Queen, Black Sabbath, The Shadows, Rush, Guns N’ Roses, and many more. BMG artists and songwriters featured on the track include Joan Armatrading, Ry Cooder, Peter Frampton, Tony Iommi, Joan Jett, Mark Knopfler, Tom Morello, Mike Rutherford, Slash, Ringo Starr and Zak Starkey, Pete Townshend, and Ronnie Wood.

A minimum of 50% of net proceeds received by BMG will be donated to Teenage Cancer Trust.