Bath Chronicle 22/11/2000

ONE of Bath's most famous musical sons is giving away his treasured guitar to help autistic children in the city.

Roland Orzabal - who was one half of the 80s band Tears for Fears - has donated the guitar to help raise the estimated £250,000 needed to build new school facilities.

The star will also attend the charity evening tomorrow where it will be auctioned for the Margaret Coates Unit at Fosseway School, Odd Down.

The musician was asked to help out by his friend Susie Rogers, whose five-year-old son Tristan attends the unit for children with autism and other communication problems.

The walnut and gold guitar, which is worth around £1,000, will be among 15 others items to be auctioned on the evening.

It featured in the video for the band's hit, Shout.

Ms Rogers said of the unit:

"All the staff are incredible but the actual building is a shame and a disgrace. It is a prefab hut which was put up 31 years ago and the water is coming in."

The auction, which will include a champagne reception and Mediterranean buffet, is being held at Ring of Bells in Widcombe.

Tickets at £25 are available from Ms Rogers on 01225 319567 or 07967 007171.