Football fan food bank fundraiser marks milestone

A food bank campaign driven by football fans is celebrating its third anniversary ahead of its first collection of the new year.

The Ipswich Town Fans Supporting Foodbanks group has raised almost £25,000 to help people-in-need put meals on the table since January 2023.

Last year was the group's most productive yet, with more than £6,500 raised for Ipswich charity Families in Need (FIND), 10 collections and a fundraising bike ride.

The fans, who put allegiances aside to help others, will have their charity buckets in hand before the Tractor Boys' fixture against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

They will be collecting donations from game-goers between 10:30 GMT and 12:30 in the FanZone and on Portman Road ahead of kick-off.

It will once again be held in aid of FIND, with fans being urged to donate tinned goods and non-perishable items and make financial contributions.

Elijah Aldridge, lead bucket organiser, said: "After the incredible outpouring of solidarity over the festive season, donations often dry up in January.

"We're calling on supporters to make it their New Year's resolution to bring a tin, box or a quid and support your community."

The group is part of the national Fans Supporting Foodbanks movement, which originated with Liverpool and Everton supporters in 2015.

It now spans across more than 40 clubs in England, all united under a principle that "hunger doesn't wear club colours".

According to the Ipswich group, the IP1 area of the town is "more deprived than 87% of neighbourhoods in England" and a third of children live in poverty.

"Ipswich Town Fans Supporting Foodbanks is rooted in the organising principle that no-one gets left behind, especially as winter pressures deepen," a spokesperson said.

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