How Ed Sheeran inspired the next generation with guitar donation

The four-time Grammy winner donated five guitars to students

Learning a musical instrument can be an arduous journey, one often fraught with blistered fingers, frayed patience and what can seem like an endless series of insurmountable hurdles.

But that process is made a little easier when you know the guitar you're playing is a gift from one of the most famous singer-songwriters in the world, Ed Sheeran.

The donation came as a surprise to the music teacher at the Belfast Boys' Model school.

"I was invited to a meeting with other music teachers to discuss the challenges we face in the classroom," said Sharon Baird.

"We were told a musician would be coming, but we didn't know who. Then the door opened and Ed Sheeran appeared."

Recalling the day when she and her colleagues sat in an office in Matchetts Music in Belfast city centre chatting with the four-time Grammy award-winner, Sharon said the pop star was "genuinely interested in our experiences in the classroom".

"He described his ordinary upbringing, and told us he wasn't very good at anything in school apart from music.

"Long story short, he knows better than anyone how music can change a young person's life, and said he wanted to help us promote that in our classrooms."

The pop megastar recently gifted five of his signature line guitars to the music department at Belfast Boys' Model School

In her time as an educator, Sharon has come to view music as "a common good''.

"Our school principal recognises this too, and kindly covers the costs of tuition fees and instruments, so the pupils don't have to pay."

Despite that, financial realities always place limits on access.

Which is where Ed and his five Sheeran by Lauden guitars comes in.

"As soon as he said that, through the Ed Sheeran Foundation, he wanted to give us five brand new guitars, I knew it would make a difference," she said.

Ever since Matthew heard his grandfather play the guitar, learning the six-stringed art was written in destiny

"Since Ed made his donation, the music department has been busier at lunchtime," said Matthew.

"I think more boys are going to learn to play the guitar because of what he did."

But while Matthew predicts these gifted guitars, which he says are "wonderful to play", will entice other pupils to begin their musical journey, his own inspiration came long ago and from much closer to home.

"I've wanted to take up the guitar ever since I seen my granda play. I was only six or seven when I started trying to strum his guitar."

But that childhood enthusiasm waned for a few years until in secondary school his interest was reignited when he was given the opportunity to take lessons.

"That was three years ago and now I'm doing a grade eight guitar, which is the highest you can go up to without a diploma."

Deacon plays in the school rock band along with a bunch of fellow pupils

One pupil who has benefited from Belfast Boys' Model School's music department is Matthew's bandmate Deacon.

"I got involved with music in first year when I joined the choir, because I've always been interested in singing," said Deacon.

"Then in second I got interested in the guitar and drums, so started taking lessons in school.

"It really brought me out of my comfort zone and I got a lot more confidant around school."

Deacon, who is a big Ed Sheeran fan, said he was "mind-blown" when he found out one of his music heroes had made his donation to the school.

"I couldn't believe it," said Deacon. "The only problem is that I'm a lefty and they're all right-handed guitars."

When it was suggested he could perhaps restring one of the donated guitars so it would be playable for a left-hander, Deacon smiled.

"I've done that before and it takes a bit of work - but in this case, I think it'd probably be worth the effort."