Ed Sheeran ‘donates over £1million to local charities in Suffolk’

Ed Sheeran has reportedly donated more than £1million to local charities in his native Suffolk amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

According to The Sun, the generous donation has gone toward several good causes including the children’s hospital ward in Ipswich. 

The singer, 29, still lives in Suffolk and wanted to do something to help residents in light of the current difficult times many are facing due to the virus. 

A source told the publication: ‘It is a horrible time and Ed wants to do what he can to help.

‘He has split a seven-figure sum between local charities to try to ease the strain on his local community.

‘Ed is very involved in the area and knows that his donations will make a massive difference.’

The hitmaker resides in a stunning estate worth £3.7 million with his childhood sweetheart, Cherry Seaborn, 27. 

Ed is reportedly enjoying time spent in isolation with his wife by tending to their land and growing organic fruit and veg. 

The Shape of You star has developed a passion for gardening during the lockdown as well as keeping chickens. 

With so much room on the sprawling land, the musician is reportedly planning on adding sheep and goats to his livestock collection. 

For now he is enjoying growing his own fruit and veg in the onsite green house including strawberries, spuds, lettuce and carrots.

A local source told The Sun: ‘They are both passionate about organic food and in these troubled times it’s nice to know they can get produce straight from the garden.

‘Ed spends hours out there tending all his crops, it is a simple pleasure for him away from the madness of the music world.’

The singer, who is worth an estimated £160million, initially purchased five properties in his home county of Suffolk, in what has been dubbed ‘Sheeranville.’

Publicly available documents give a fascinating insight into the scale of the works on his estate, including building an underground music room, cinema and tunnel to link Wynneys Hall, the main house, to a barn that has been converted into the Lancaster Lock pub – named after his wife.

The development of the mini-village has not been without controversy, particularly over unsuccessful plans for a 32ft-tall chapel and the use of a wildlife ‘pond’ in the grounds.

The most recent addition to the estate came in April when the star spent £875,000 buying the home of neighbour Sharon Jest, who had previously opposed some of his plans. The price was considerably higher than for similar properties in the area.

Meanwhile, work on a Victorian-style greenhouse and kitchen garden, an orchard, mini-paddock and copse of American sweetgum trees is being overseen by Sue Townsend, a former gardener for the BBC’s Blue Peter.