Ipswich man donates £8.5k of voluntary employment to charity

Tony Harris said he was "gobsmacked" to have raised so much money, which including Gift Aid went up to £8,500

A retired train driver arranged 74 days of varying employment and donated his earnings to charity.

Tony Harris, from Rushmere St Andrew in Ipswich, took early retirement in 2021.

He recently completed 74 days of employment with individuals and businesses across the town, raising £8,500 for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

"I thoroughly enjoyed my challenge and found it immensely satisfying," he said.

His roles included serving customers in a cafe, being a handyman, completing airport taxi runs and even catering for a Christening party.

"There were some jobs I really enjoyed, including working on the Adnams stall at the Suffolk Show," he said.

"It was a challenge as I had to act as if I was an expert on the different types and tastes of beers and spirits, even though I'm teetotal."

'Wildest dreams'

Not all of his roles were so exciting, with Mr Harris stating he disliked removing and reapplying silicon to showers.

However, the roles allowed him to meet a "real mix" of individuals, who had many stories to tell.

"One had recently found out her biological father's name and he was an American airman based in Suffolk during World War Two."

EACH cares for children with life-threatening conditions and supports their families across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

Formerly living near The Treehouse, one of the charity's care facilities in Felixstowe, Mr Harris was aware of the charity's "great work".

"My original goal had been to raise £5,000, so to finish with £8,500, including Gift Aid, was beyond my wildest dreams," he said.

Mr Harris also donated all royalties from his debut novel, Suffolk's Last Cold War Victim.

Ali Butler, EACH's senior community fundraiser for Suffolk and east Essex, said: "I'd like to say a big well done, thank you and congratulations to the amazing Tony.

"His fundraising will make a huge difference and he should feel very proud of all he's achieved."

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