Ipswich Town youngsters make big community contribution

Ipswich Town’s academy will pay for a day of care and support from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) across Suffolk and East Essex as the club marks 40 years since victory in the UEFA Cup.

Players from Town’s under 9 to under 15 teams raised money between January and February by each running, jogging or walking 40 miles, helping them to keep active during lockdown.

The challenge, Walking Apart, Moving Together, saw the boys clock up a collective 4,000 miles and net £5,855.

Simon Tricker, Lead Foundation Phase Coach, said: “As an academy we wanted to give something back at a time that’s challenging for everyone. This is a time to come together and help, and be there for others who need it most. The children and families at EACH face challenges every day and this made EACH a very relevant charity to support.

“We are incredibly proud of the efforts of our academy players and the manner in which they’ve taken on this challenge. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored us so that we can raise as much money as possible for this fantastic charity.”

The academy’s efforts will pay for EACH’s vital care and support to be delivered to some of the area’s most vulnerable children and their families on Friday (21 May).

It was on Wednesday 20 May 1981 that Town won the UEFA Cup, now known as the Europa League. Finals were played over two legs then and Blues defeated Dutch side AZ Alkmaar 5-4 on aggregate.

Billie Race, EACH Suffolk and East Essex Corporate Fundraiser, said: “I know the boys who took part in this challenge were so committed, braving all conditions, including snow, and it’s fantastic their efforts will pay for an entire day of care and support.

“Fundraising like this is vital to us at any time, let alone now after a year of such disruption to our normal income, and as demand for our service grows, with families exhausted from prolonged periods of shielding. We can’t thank the Ipswich academy enough and hope all the boys feel, rightly, very proud of their achievements.”

It is still possible to donate to EACH in recognition of the academy’s efforts by going to www.justgiving.com/ipswich-town-academy-fc.

For more information about EACH visit www.each.org.uk.