Football fans helping foodbanks back for fourth year

Ipswich Town Fans Supporting Foodbanks is back for its fourth season

A group of football fans who help organise foodbank donations will return for their fourth season.

Ipswich Town Fans Supporting Foodbanks was set up in January 2023 and has since raised more than £20,000 for local Suffolk foodbank, Families in Need.

Town take on their first Championship home game of the season at Portman Road against Southampton on Sunday, and the group is asking fans to consider donating.

Charlie Nixon, co-founder and leader organiser, said the fans had made their work possible over the years.

"Ipswich is one of the top 50 worst areas for child poverty, unfortunately, and there's been a 28% rise in child poverty in Ipswich in the past year alone," Mr Nixon explained.

"As people who care about the town and the area, we feel that we can't let that go unaddressed."

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

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

Charlie Nixon (left) said the Town fans had been generous with their donations over the years

On Sunday, the group will collect from 10:00 BST before kick-off at midday.

They ask for non-perishable food items, financial donations and clothing.

"It's not just us that do it, we are just the facilitators," Mr Nixon continued.

"It's the Ipswich Town fans that really put in the work and make what we do possible.

"It's the fans and the community who are the real champions in this fight against food poverty.

"The cost of living crisis has hit everyone, and I think everyone can bond over the struggles we face in our communities, with heating our homes, and the rising cost of the weekly shop."