PAUL MCCARTNEY

Goodwill Ambassador / Patron, Adopt-A-Minefield

The music in Paul McCartney has long made the world a better place. Now, through his work for Adopt-A-Minefield (AAM), the man is making the world safer too. Since 2000, Paul has selflessly campaigned to put AAM on the map of the conscience of the planet.

Paul made a personal donation in 2001 to kick off Adopt-A-Minefield (UK). The funds were used to pay for landmine clearance in Slavonia, Croatia. The minefield was a cemetery in the village of Paulin Dvor, selected for clearance by local people. Since the Balkan war started in 1991, they had not been able to reach the cemetery because it was right on the front line. Trenches had been dug through it and it was littered with landmines. Instead of being buried in the graveyard, those who died in the war were buried in what had been a football field. Now, because of the clearance made possible by Paul‘s donation, the people of Paulin Dvor can bury their dead in consecrated ground and lay flowers on the graves.

During Paul‘s “Back in The World” tour of the US and Europe in 2002, he designed and wore a “No More Landmines” t-shirt during the encore of each show. This brought the campaign to the attention of a massive audience around the world. Money from “No More Landmines” t-shirts sales at the concerts was donated to Adopt-A-Minefield and the tour also held collections at many of the British and European venues.

Highlights of Paul McCartney's Involvement with Adopt-A- Minefield       

* Yearly Benefit Gala - Paul hosts the annual AAM Benefit Gala, which in 2004 raised over $1.4 million dollars. Each year, Paul invites a special musical guest to perform with him. Past guests include Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, James Taylor, Stephen Stills and Neil Young.

* No More Land Mines T-Shirt - Paul designed this signature AAM t-shirt, and wears it at concerts worldwide. AAM has raised tens of thousands of dollars through the sale of these shirts.

* Birthday Concert - Paul performed at the 2003 birthday of AAM supporter Wendy Walker Whitworth, in return for a $1 million dollar donation to AAM.

* Isle of Man Postage Stamp - Paul designed a set of postage stamps for the Isle of Man, with proceeds from a special folder of the stamps going to AAM.

* "Amnesty" Art Print - AAM issued a limited edition, signed run of posters featuring the artwork "Amnesty,"  by Paul McCartney.

* Gibson Guitar Campaign - Gibson Guitars partnered with Paul to create a limited edition Paul McCartney ‘Signature 1964 Epiphone Texan’ guitar, an exact replica of the guitar McCartney used to write and perform “Yesterday.” Proceeds from the sales of the 100 guitars go to AAM.  

* Webchat - each year, Paul conducts an N1KD webchat, allowing fans and supporters to speak with him about the global landmine crisis and their efforts to help solve it.