Skip to main contentEnter
Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

Ipswich power workers raise over £2,000 for children's bereavement charity

News
Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

UK Power Networks employees from Ipswich have raised £2,100 for Winston's Wish, a charity supporting bereaved children and young people, by completing a challenging 28-mile hike.

Why it matters: The funds raised will help Winston's Wish continue supporting grieving children and young people across the UK. The charity relies on voluntary donations for 90% of its income.

The big picture: Ten UK Power Networks employees, mostly from Ipswich with some from Crawley, took on the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk.

  • They smashed their original fundraising target, raising over four times their initial goal.

  • UK Power Networks matched their efforts with a £500 donation.

Some of the ten walkers who raised over £2,100 for Winston’s Wish
Some of the ten walkers who raised over £2,100 for Winston’s Wish

Key details:

  • The 28-mile hike took the team through the High Weald countryside.

  • Participants completed the walk in just under 15 hours over two days.

  • A downpour made parts of the terrain challenging, but organiser Sam Duncan from Ipswich said it "really brought the team together to motivate and support each other."

What they're saying:

Walk organiser Sam Duncan said: “The whole team agreed it would be an excellent cause to raise money for, but also raise the profile of so that more people affected by family bereavement know they can provide support.”

Louisa Hancox, philanthropy and partnerships manager at Winston's Wish said:

"We are thrilled with the efforts of the team at UK Power Networks and are so thankful for everyone involved in the walk. Their commitment to raising funds and awareness helps to ensure that our services remain open and accessible to grieving children, young people, and the adults who care for them during the most difficult times."

The bottom line: Those wishing to support the cause can donate via the team's JustGiving page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/outage-planning-ukpn

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

Ipswich's only free and independent news publication

Support our journalism

We can't do this without you! Unlike the Ipswich Star and East Anglian Daily Times, Ipswich.co.uk has no banner advertising and no wealthy US corporate owners.

So, if you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for a better Ipswich, please consider contributing just £24 per year.

Every penny matters and allows us to keep producing good quality local journalism that respects your time, attention and privacy.

Become a supporter

Has Fabio Wardley's 'dream' Portman Road fight moved one step closer?

News
Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

The British heavyweight champion and diehard Ipswich Town fan could see his ambition to fight at his beloved club become reality after a new licence application.

Why it matters: Ipswich Town Football Club has applied for a variation of its licence at Portman Road. The application has requested boxing or wrestling entertainment to take place between 12:00 and 22:30 on Sundays to Thursdays, as well as 12:00 to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

West Stand at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
West Stand at Portman Road stadium in IpswichHolly Woodard-Williams

What they're saying: Speaking with the BBC, an ITFC spokesperson said: "Following infrastructure improvements to Portman Road over the past couple of years, it will not be uncommon for the stadium to apply for various licences to host events across different sectors; this is just one of many that will start to appear."

For context: British heavyweight champion and Ipswich Town fan Fabio Wardley said it was his "dream" to fight at the ground.

In October 2024, Wardley told BBC Radio Suffolk he wanted to fight at Portman Road, saying: "It's still the dream and it's on the cards".

"If anything it's closer than ever now because being with Frank Warren my promoter, he's done stadium shows before and he knows how to put them on.

"When it happens is still a massive question but pieces are definitely falling into place for this."

Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich
Fabio Wardley at Portman Road stadium in IpswichAlamy

The bigger picture: Ipswich Town chief executive, Mark Ashton, said in November 2024 that the club had been in discussion with Wardley about appearing at the ground and that it was in the "pipeline" but not "imminent".

The details: The club has also requested to be permitted to include live music performances, playing of recorded music, dance performances as well as alcohol sales and late night refreshments.

Portman Road underwent a series of improvements last summer to prepare the ground for Premier League football, including new media facilities, more executive boxes and the introduction of safe standing areas at the ground for the first time.

What's next: Posters advertising the change have been put up in the area around the ground with people able to have their say on the change until 24 April.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

Load next article