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 teen's marathon bid to repay charity that helped him adapt to UK life

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

Osman Abdullah, 19, will tackle the 26-mile course on 27 April to raise money for the charity that supported him since moving to the UK from Sudan.

Why it matters: The Suffolk New College  student hopes to raise £2,000 for the YMCA, which has helped him adjust to life in the UK after arriving from Sudan two years ago.

Osman in his training kit outside the college
Osman in his training kit outside the collegeSuffolk New College

The details: Osman, who studies English (ESOL) and Maths, has been training regularly on the streets of Ipswich in preparation for the event.

"I've never run a marathon before — but the training is going very well. I run with a friend around Ipswich. I also do yoga. I'm really excited by this. The YMCA will be supporting me during the run and I'm determined to complete the course," he said.

By the numbers: Osman has already raised over £600 towards his target and has been completing half marathons in preparation for the 26-mile run.

Support efforts: Suffolk New College has donated branded training kit and will be buying him trainers to support his fundraising effort.

Craig Shimmon, Head of Marketing at Suffolk New College, said: "Hats off to Osman. He is a true inspiration. Supporting him via the donation of training kit is the least we can do."

The college is also staging additional fundraising events, some organised by students.

The bottom line: "I'm so grateful to them and want to raise as much as I can for people who have helped me so much. I really want to give something back to the YMCA, as I lived there and know they need extra help financially," Osman said.

Those wishing to donate to Osman's charity effort can visit his fundraising page on the YMCA England & Wales website.

Suffolk New College

Suffolk New College is a multi-award-winning institution that offers a diverse range of career-focused courses in amazing facilities.

Suffolk New College Ipswich campus
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

Local photographer's exhibition to explore 'fragility of time' in Woodbridge

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

Cherry Beesley's 'Simply Fleeting' will showcase unique fine art photography at Artspace gallery from 15-21 May.

Why it matters: The Suffolk-based photographer, known to much of Suffolk's business community for her distinctive and natural style, captures moments in suspension that challenge normal perspectives while creating emotional connections to everyday experiences.

The details: The exhibition focuses on documenting "time in suspension" through fine art photographic prints, highlighting what Cherry describes as "the poetry within the captured moment of movement".

Simply Fleeting Ephemeral
Simply Fleeting EphemeralCherry BeesleySimply C Photography

In her own words: Cherry's work examines the balance between "stillness, presence and impermanence, fragility and strength" that exists both within ourselves and in our experience of time.

"I have always believed that time, like life is ephemeral and therefore precious and fragile. Perhaps that is why I love photography so passionately as it allows you to quite literally stop time, to capture moments and preserve something that may be lost," she explains.

What to expect: Visitors will see images depicting "the motions of a dancer, the flow of a fabric, the muscles that hint at strength beneath the grace, echoing the fragility of time," according to the photographer.

What they're saying: Quoting from the film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", Cherry notes: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

The bottom line: The exhibition aims to encourage visitors to "Simply look up", notice the unnoticed and acknowledge elements of life we often take for granted, sparking curiosity and inviting questions. You can find out more here.

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