Swindon charity boss works with Beyonce and Ed Sheeran

Michael Sheldrick put on huge worldwide concerts for Beyonce, Ed Sheeran and Jay-Z, and raised nearly $50 billion for charity.

But the Toothill-raised boy with a speech impediment was told by teachers he would not amount to anything.

Michael said: “I would get teased a lot because of the way I spoke and it would be like ‘Michael speaks slowly. He must be slow. He must be stupid. 

“And so I think because of that, I think when people said, ‘you won't amount to much, you won't get into university’, I had no other reference point.”

Find more about the book here: https://michaelsheldrick.com/book/

Michael did go to university - getting two degrees in law and political science - and co-founded Global Citizen, a charity that has raised $43.6 billion. 

It fights to end global poverty from offices in London, Berlin, Toronto, Melbourne and New York - where Michael now lives.

One way Michael’s charity raises money is through worldwide music concerts such as the Global Citizen Festival Mandela 100.

It featured Chris Martin, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, Jay-Z, Bob Geldof and Oprah Winfrey.

This event alone generated $7.4 billion for charity.

Another concert, One World: Together at Home with Lady Gaga, won two Guinness World Records including ‘most money raised for charity by a remote music festival’.

Michael is also on the board of the 8th UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Centre for Global Citizens.

Despite all this, Michael still loves to return to Swindon.

“One of my favourite places in the world is Paddington train station. 

“I will get off the plane at Heathrow, make my way to Paddington and get on the Great Western Railway. 

“And so, Paddington, I always associate with with home in my mind. And going to Swindon.”

He loves the quiet of Swindon compared to New York and that he can get to all his family within half an hour. 

The Swindon Town supporter who attended Oliver Tomkins School never forgets his roots.

He said: “In some ways, I always remember what it was like being that boy who people said is stupid. Not going to amount to much. 

“And I think of the difference a couple of teachers made in my life. And so I've always been grateful for that. And I guess in some ways, that's what keeps me driven.”

He thanked one teacher in particular, Ms Bailey of year two: “She said, ‘It's not all clicking together, but one day, all the pieces will fall into line and Michael will flourish’.”

Now Michael wants to pass on his advice. His latest project, a book, ‘From Ideas to Impact’ is a playbook for how to do good in the world.

He said: “I wrote the book because I found myself over the years getting messages from High School students, university students, many young people, wondering how they could make a difference

“It is a way for people to take that first step because what I've noticed is if you can get someone taking the first step then they see the results of that which gives you further momentum.”

The book has got praise from even more celebs - including Coldplay and Idris Elba.

It is dedicated to his 90-year-old grandmother, who he is looking forward to visiting in Swindon soon before her birthday.

It will be the first time he has seen her since she became a great-grandmother.