Judas Priest’s Rob Halford and Ian Hill Back New Steel Wings Foundation Fundraiser for Ukraine
Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford and bassist Ian Hill have launched a new fundraising partnership with the Steel Wings Foundation, the Ukraine-based heavy metal charity run by YouTuber Metal Pilgrim. The campaign is raising money for the organization’s ongoing relief work inside Ukraine, and donors are being entered into a drawing to win memorabilia that Halford has personally handed over for the cause.
Halford contributed several items straight from his own collection for fans to win, including bracelets and a cross he has worn, along with guitar picks from Judas Priest’s “Faithkeepers” tour that come packaged with Icons and were placed in the prize boxes by Halford himself.
- A one-of-a-kind bracelet handmade by Rob Halford will go to whoever makes the single largest donation of the campaign.
- Every 1 UAH (Ukrainian Hryvnia) donated equals one entry into the drawing for the other prizes; 100 UAH (about $2.25) buys 100 entries, and 1,000 UAH (about $22.50) buys 1,000 entries.
- A prior Judas Priest and Steel Wings Foundation partnership in 2024 brought in 1,000,000 UAH (roughly $22,500), with fans that time winning items such as Halford’s sunglasses and Icons-backed guitar picks.
Halford and Hill filmed a video message urging the wider metal community to pitch in and support the drive. The Steel Wings Foundation says its mission is to rally metal fans worldwide to fund and deliver aid to people in Ukraine affected by the ongoing conflict.
How the Steel Wings Foundation Donation Drawing Works
The structure mirrors the 2024 effort: donations convert directly into raffle entries, with larger gifts producing more chances to land one of Halford’s personal pieces. The handmade bracelet is set aside as a guaranteed prize for the top single donor rather than part of the general drawing pool.
Rob Halford Has Previously Spoken About Politics and Metal
Asked years ago by a reader of Metal Hammer whether politics belong in metal, Halford said he believes they do and pointed to Judas Priest’s 2018 “Firepower” track “Evil Never Dies” as an example of commentary he has folded into the band’s music, though he described it as being wrapped in “smoke and mirrors” rather than stated outright.
In a separate 2018 conversation with Newsweek, Halford said he was “not a Donald Trump supporter,” arguing that policies from that era widened political rifts and left minority communities, including LGBTQ people, feeling excluded. He noted that plenty of Judas Priest fans hold different political views than he does, but said he is comfortable with that as long as those disagreements stay outside the venue.
More Info
- JUDAS PRIESTs ROB HALFORD And IAN HILL Support New Fundraiser For Ukraine | Blabbermouth
TOP STORIES
RELATED ARTISTS
Related Stories
Dolly Parton, ‘Queen of Country’ Music Icon, Dies at 80
Dolly Parton, the singer, actress and philanthropist celebrated as the ‘Queen of Country’ music, has died at age 80, her family confirmed on August 25, 2026.
Olivia Rodrigo Headlines Daisy Chain Fields Festival With Stevie Nicks, Alanis Morissette and Sarah McLachlan
Olivia Rodrigo capped the debut of her self-organized Daisy Chain Fields festival with surprise duets alongside Stevie Nicks, Sarah McLachlan and Alanis Morissette, while the one-day event pulled in $20 million for women’s charities.
David Byrne’s ‘Who Is The Sky?’ Tour Becomes 70mm Concert Film Directed by Brady Corbet
David Byrne has confirmed a 70mm concert film built from sold-out Baltimore performances on his ‘Who Is The Sky?’ tour, with ‘The Brutalist’ director Brady Corbet behind the camera and the project now in post-production.
ZZ Top Plays First Shows Since Drummer Frank Beard’s Death, Billy Gibbons Calls Austin Gigs “A Celebration”
ZZ Top took the stage in Austin for the first time since drummer Frank Beard’s death, with Billy Gibbons honoring his longtime bandmate before calling the shows “a celebration.”
Pearl Jam to Press 2016 Philadelphia ‘Ten’ Concert on Vinyl for Album’s 35th Anniversary
Pearl Jam is pressing its April 29, 2016 full-album performance of ‘Ten’ at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center onto vinyl, marking 35 years since the record’s release.
Judge Issues Pretrial Rulings Favoring Steven Tyler Ahead of Julia Holcomb Abuse Trial
A Los Angeles judge has handed Steven Tyler several favorable pretrial rulings ahead of his September 21, 2026 trial in Julia Misley’s abuse lawsuit, limiting what evidence and language her side can use in court.
Carlos Santana Faces Backlash After Telling Red Rocks Crowd ‘Grievances Cause Cancer’
Carlos Santana is facing online criticism after telling a Red Rocks crowd that forgiving grievances can prevent cancer, a claim that has drawn accusations of victim-blaming.
Tom Scholz Shares Rare Live Recording of Boston’s ‘More Than a Feeling’
Boston guitarist Tom Scholz posted a rare live recording of ‘More Than a Feeling’ on Facebook, drawn from the band’s 2017 Hyper Space tour and preserved in its unpolished, straight-off-the-console form.
Tony Iommi Recruits Brian May for Guest Solo on New Album ‘From the Dark’
Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi is releasing From the Dark on October 23, his first solo album in more than two decades, and Queen’s Brian May is the sole guest musician on the record.