A corking good cause: Andrew Lloyd Webber wine collection raises £500,000

Andrew Lloyd Webber has said he is “delighted” that an auction of his private wine collection has raised more than half a million pounds for a charity that helps disadvantaged children through music.

The collection, Final Treasures from the Wine Cellar of Andrew Lloyd Webber, raised £517,910 for the Music in Secondary Schools Trust (Misst) after going under the hammer at Christie’s.

The auction house previously said the lots, which had been stored in the cellar of the composer’s country estate in Hampshire, featured bottles and magnums from the “most revered vineyards and finest vintages of the past century”.

Misst provides pupils in 37 secondary schools in areas of significant deprivation with musical instruments, weekly tuition and a classical music curriculum known as the Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme.

Lord Lloyd-Webber, who recently revealed he is a recovering alcoholic, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the sale of my wine cellar has raised over a half a million pounds for my music in schools programme.

“To date over 30,000 children have taken part in the project and the sale means that 4,000 additional kids will be able to join.”

He said the “beneficial power of music education in schools has long proved to be a no-brainer” and criticised the lack of investment.

“Quite simply, music empowers young people,” he added.

“From academic achievement to solving social behaviour and mental health issues, the benefits to the whole community, not just the young students, are demonstrably proven.

“Yet successive UK governments persistently refuse to invest in a programme whose proven social and financial benefit to the nation is manifest.”

Lord Lloyd-Webber at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 (Gareth Fuller/PA)PA Archive/PA Images - Gareth Fuller

Misst chief executive Rachel Landon said: “We are delighted by the incredible success of the auction and are continually amazed by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s kindness.

“These funds will make a transformative difference for many children, enabling us to expand our reach and support even more young people.

“With a short-term target of supporting over 50,000 students by 2028 and a waiting list of over 140 schools, this support comes at a crucial time.”

Lord Lloyd-Webber revealed he is a “recovering alcoholic” in an interview with The Times last month.

“Sixteen months ago I decided that I needed help and it’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said, adding that he regularly attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.