24,264
Music Therapy sessions fully funded
Since 2013 the Heavy Metal Truants have been breaking a sweat to raise funds for childrens’ charities in the name of heavy metal.
Open to all, HMT has seen metal fans, bands, and industry types banding together to help raise thousands of pounds both through charitable activities throughout the year like the Monster Rock Auction and our Heavy Metal Curries, but primarily through our traditional, now legendary annual 175-mile cycle from London to the hallowed ground of Castle Donington and Download festival in June.
Our Impact
Thanks to our participants and fundraisers The Truants Foundation has raised enough money for our charity partners to make a measurable impact in the lives of young people.
54
Music Therapists certified
364,000
Childrens’ calls for help answered by specialists and volunteers
48 days
fully funded
147,000
Young Person’s Guide to Cancer pamphlets delivered
62,000
Connections with Youth Support Coordinators for young people with cancer
82,000
antibiotics dosed to combat Pneumonia
33,400
face masks for medical staff in high risk areas
HMT History
Alexander Milas on the birth of the world’s greatest charity cycle ride…
So then, how did this all begin?
It’s said that mighty oaks grow from small acorns. It should also be said that’s especially true of acorns that have been soaked in beer. It feels like yesterday. Back in 2012, Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood invited me on one of his now infamous charity cycle rides, the Truants.
This particular one was through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains out in Morocco in some truly blistering heat. It was hard, but it was also genuinely one of the best, most fulfilling experiences of my life. It had been years since I’d cycled – life and the demands of work had got in the way and I doubted whether I could finish. But like a lot of people out there for the first time I surprised myself, and my face ached from all the grinning. What I didn’t know was that it was about to get a million times better. It was early evening in Marrakech, and the heat was just about bearable for the first time. Rod cracks over a beer, turns to me, and says…
“How are you planning on getting up to Donington this year?”
That moment saw the birth of the Heavy Metal Truants, and to say it’s been a remarkable journey is an understatement.
Just like our mascot our little cycle ride has evolved rather significantly since then. The first seven rides saw dozens upon dozens of cyclists come together to raise money for three fantastic charities that do truly immense work to improve the lives of children and young people: Nordoff Robbins, Teenage Cancer Trust, and Childline.
In 2020 our next evolution would come as the world went into lockdown in the form of expanding the in-person ride to the virtual world, running & walking challenges, and a fourth worthy cause to join our charity beneficiaries in the form of Save The Children.
Add in friends and family who’ve supported them, the great and good of the music industry who have supported us, and you haven’t just got a proposition that has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds , but an organisation that’s the very essence of what heavy metal is all about. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a fan, an agent, a manager, a promoter, a publicist, a record label, a media type or an artist: hills and sweat are a great equaliser, and the only thing that matters is that you’re out there with us.
It’s about more than just the physical challenge , though. Some years, we hold the Monster Rock Auction: a charity memorabilia auction that’s seen some truly unique and wonderful items donated countless bands and industry. When possible, we also hold Heavy Metal Curry nights with some truly stellar guests of honour. Heavy Metal Truants have evolved rather a lot over time too, but the only thing that hasn’t changed is the incredible generosity of the people who’ve supported our cause, and as we commence the ninth year of this journey I can honestly say it feels like we’re really just beginning.
We don’t stop at the finish line, to join or find out how else you can support hit us up.
– Alexander Milas
Meet The Crew
Heavy Metal Truants is about community – here are just a few of the legends who’ve joined us over the years