Footballers battled for honours and showed off their skills during an exclusive charity tournament on the main pitch at Ipswich Town.
The competition was organised by UK top-50 law firm Birketts and raised vital funds for three worthy causes, including East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
A dozen five-a-side teams took part, including one from EACH, and the eventual winners were OCS Group.
Former Ipswich captain Matt Holland handed out the prizes afterwards, and the other sides in action represented Newmark, John Grose, ABP Ports, Hopkins Homes, Barnes Construction, BU-UK, SEH Development and Denbury Homes.
It brought Birketts’ fundraising total for EACH to £26,000, combined with money from its annual golf day at Felixstowe Ferry in April.
Anna Bruce, EACH’s Senior Corporate Fundraiser for Suffolk, said: “I’d like to say another heartfelt thank you to Birketts.
“It was such a fun, well-organised and hugely successful event, and we’re incredibly grateful for their generous, continued support.
“To organise two huge fundraising events in quick succession was a monumental effort, and these funds make an enormous difference, helping us continue our vital work across the region.
“Thanks also to the businesses and players that signed up, took part and got in the spirit. They were great sports, and I hope they enjoyed their day as much as we did.”
The tournament took place at Portman Road last Tuesday (3rd June), and, as well as supporting EACH, the other beneficiaries were Little Lifts, a charity that supplies handpicked gift boxes to people affected by breast cancer, and the Ipswich Town Foundation – the charitable arm of Ipswich Town Football Club.
“Birketts was very pleased to host our first charity tournament at the home of Ipswich Town Football Club, in support of three very special local charities,” said Oliver Crichton, partner in the commercial real estate team at Birketts.
“It was a great day, and, on behalf of the firm, I’d like to extend a big thank you to everyone who helped make this fundraiser a huge success.”
As well as being cheered on by colleagues, the EACH team were supported from the sidelines by mascot ECHO! – used to describe the charity’s work to children. The letters stand for ‘Everyone in the family is included’, ‘Care for children who are poorly’, ‘Home or hospice, wherever we’re needed’ and ‘Outstanding care and support when families need it most’.
