Staff volunteer for three nights at FIND

Ipswich Town and Ipswich Town Foundation staff have spent the past three nights volunteering at charity partner FIND (Families in Need) as part of the ‘FIND a warmer community’ campaign, packing food parcels which will delivered to users of the service.

The campaign, which was launched with the cost of living crisis in mind, focuses on supporting people by providing warm items such as hats, gloves, scarves, hot water bottles and socks.

Staff packed a total of 400 boxes over the course of three nights with these to be received by users of FIND in the coming months.

Manager Kieran McKenna and Club captain Sam Morsy attended on the final night of volunteering, while over 30 staff gave up their time across the three nights.

“I have really enjoyed it, it is lovely to get out and see the work that is going on,” said Kieran.

“It has been good to learn more about the charity and the work that they do.

“Coming down here; you see the scale of it, the work that goes on and how efficient it is.

“It is great to see the players get involved, they’re a group of players that get how important the Club is to the community.”

“It is good to see the work going on in the community,” added Sam.

“It opens your eyes to the struggles out there that some people face. It is a humble, eye-opening experience.

“Just before I came today, I was chatting to my daughter about it and explaining some of the challenges that people face.

“It’s very important, it is sometimes easy to be blindsided and think these challenges aren’t there.”

Leanne Smith, the Foundation’s Community Engagement Coordinator, said: “It has been really rewarding or all staff. Staff have volunteered their time on all of the three nights and every staff member has done really well.

“I think it is really important because people rely on these organisations not only at this time of year but all year round.”

The Crowdfunder page has raised more than £800 so far and supporters can donate here.

FIND have requested that items received are brand new as they believe that all children should open a present that is their own, and similarly that all members of our community deserve to have clothing that is not pre-owned.