Editing Eric Clapton (section)

===Charitable work===
[[File:2005 Fender Stratocaster Eric Clapton Signature Model, Serial No. CN98950 (Bonhams auction 19226, lot 136) & 2005 Gibson ES-335 Crossroads Model Prototype, Serial No. Prototype 3 (lot 116).jpg|thumb|right|Auction of Clapton's guitars and amps in aid of the [[Crossroads Centre]], a substance abuse rehabilitation facility]]
In 1993, Clapton was appointed a director of [[Clouds House]], a UK treatment centre for drug and alcohol dependence, and was a member of the board until 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/director/906976436/MR-ERIC-PATRICK-CLAPTON#anchor-resigned-02116410|title=Company Check, List of Directors of UK Companies and Organizations: Eric Patrick Clapton, Director, Clouds House|work=Company Check|access-date=22 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903223202/http://companycheck.co.uk/director/906976436/MR-ERIC-PATRICK-CLAPTON#anchor-resigned-02116410|archive-date=3 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> He also served on the board of directors for The Chemical Dependency Centre from 1994 until 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/director/906976436/MR-ERIC-PATRICK-CLAPTON#anchor-resigned-01880505|title=Company Check, List of Directors of UK Companies and Organizations, Eric Patrick Clapton, Director, The Chemical Dependency Centre|work=Company Check|access-date=22 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903223202/http://companycheck.co.uk/director/906976436/MR-ERIC-PATRICK-CLAPTON#anchor-resigned-01880505|archive-date=3 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The two charities subsequently merged to become [[Action on Addiction]] in 2007.

In 1998, Clapton established the [[Crossroads Centre]] in Antigua to help others to overcome addiction to drugs and alcohol. He has remained active in its management oversight and fundraising to the present day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.treatmentalternatives.com/rock-n-roll-doesnt-die-after-kicking-the-habit/ |title=Treatment Alternatives for Addiction |date=27 March 2013 |access-date=30 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327154748/http://www.treatmentalternatives.com/rock-n-roll-doesnt-die-after-kicking-the-habit/ |archive-date=27 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://crossroadsantigua.org/ |title=Crossroads Centre Antigua, Official website |publisher=Crossroadsantigua.org |access-date=3 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110422215845/http://crossroadsantigua.org/ |archive-date=22 April 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He organised the [[Crossroads Guitar Festival]] in 1999, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2019 and 2023 to raise funds for the centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://crossroadsguitarfestival.com/ |title=Crossroads Guitar Festival, Official website |publisher=Crossroadsguitarfestival.com |date=8 April 2013 |access-date=3 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708205032/http://www.crossroadsguitarfestival.com/ |archive-date=8 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1999, Clapton auctioned off some of his guitar collection and raised more than US$5&nbsp;million for continued support of the Crossroads Centre.<ref name=":0" /> A second guitar auction, which included the "Cream" of Clapton's collection, as well as guitars donated by famous friends, was held on {{nowrap|24 June}} 2004 at Christie's<ref name=":0" /> and raised US$7,438,624.<ref name="cdqimo" /> His [[George Lowden|Lowden]] acoustic guitar sold for US$41,825. 

In 2011, Clapton sold over 150 items at a New York auction, with the proceeds going to the Crossroads Centre. Items sold included his guitar from the Cream reunion tour in 2005, speaker cabinets used in the early 1970s from his days with Derek and the Dominos, and guitars from Jeff Beck, J. J. Cale, and Joe Bonamassa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iknowjack.radio.com/2010/12/10/eric-clapton-will-auction-vintage-guitars-amps-for-his-crossroads-centre/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213164850/http://iknowjack.radio.com/2010/12/10/eric-clapton-will-auction-vintage-guitars-amps-for-his-crossroads-centre/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 December 2010 |title=Eric Clapton Will Auction Vintage Guitars & Amps For His Crossroads Centre }}</ref> In March 2011, Clapton raised more than £1.3&nbsp;million when he auctioned off 138 lots, consisting of 75 guitars and 55 amps from his personal collection, including a 1948 Gibson [[hollow body guitar]]; a [[Gianni Versace]] suit from his 1990 concert at the Royal Albert Hall; and a replica of his famous Fender Stratocaster known as "Blackie", which fetched more than $30,000. All proceeds went to Crossroads.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/expat-money/8373815/Eric-Clapton-charity-auction-makes-1.3-million.html "Eric Clapton charity auction makes £1.3 million"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531092307/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/expat-money/8373815/Eric-Clapton-charity-auction-makes-1.3-million.html |date=31 May 2019 }}. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved 31 May 2019</ref>

Clapton has performed at the ''[[Secret Policeman's Ball]]'', a benefit show co-founded by [[Monty Python]] member [[John Cleese]] on behalf of [[Amnesty International]]. He made his first appearance at the show, held in London's [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]], in 1981, and subsequently became an activist.<ref name="performers">{{cite news |title=Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074qw2 |access-date=21 August 2019 |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822115518/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074qw2 |archive-date=22 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Clapton has collaborated with [[The Prince's Trust]], the leading UK youth charity, which provides training, personal development, business start up support, mentoring, and advice. He has performed at the charity's rock concert numerous times since the 1980s, most recently in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title=Queen rock Prince's Trust charity gala |date= 18 November 2010 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11765976 |work= BBC News |access-date= 30 April 2024 }}</ref> In 2008, he donated a song to [[Aid Still Required]]'s CD to assist with the restoration of Southeast Asia after the devastation inflicted by the [[2004 tsunami]].<ref>[http://www.aidstillrequired.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Exotic_AdventureQ1-2010.pdf "Green and Growing Aid Still Required Helps Darfur Refugees Take Root"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011180547/http://www.aidstillrequired.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Exotic_AdventureQ1-2010.pdf |date=11 October 2017 }}. Aid Still Required.org. Retrieved 4 December 2017</ref>