Skip to main contentEnter
Purposeful journalism for people who care about our town
Ipswich.co.uk logoSupport our journalism
News

Blues to sponsor sculpture in St Elizabeth Hospice art trail

Ipswich Town Football Club has announced it will sponsor one of the sculptures in St Elizabeth Hospice's upcoming Hop to it! Suffolk 2025 art trail. The news was revealed as the first trail sculpture was unveiled at Portman Road with Town legend Matt Holland.

The big picture: The upcoming art trail will feature more than 35 decorated hare sculptures placed across Suffolk, marking the first time the initiative has expanded beyond Ipswich to include nearby towns.

Why it matters: St Elizabeth Hospice needs to raise around £12 million annually to maintain its services, with 70% of funding coming from community support. The art trail is a key fundraising initiative for the hospice, which supports over 4,000 people living with progressive or life-limiting illnesses across the region.

Matt Holland & Seb Norton from ITFC alongside hospice staff and the hare sculpture
St Elizabeth Hospice
Matt Holland & Seb Norton from ITFC alongside hospice staff

What they're saying:

"The Club is delighted to be supporting St Elizabeth Hospice's art trail next year," said Matt Holland, former Town midfielder and current board member. "We know from previous years how much joy the trails bring to families across Suffolk."

Liz Baldwin, Corporate and Sponsorship Fundraising Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: "Having the Tractor Boys involved will add excitement to next summer's art trail, which is set to bring colour and creativity to the local community."

The details:

  • This is the third hospice art trail supported by Ipswich Town FC

  • Previous trails include Pigs Gone Wild, Elmer's Big Parade Suffolk and the Big Hoot Ipswich 2022

  • New satellite locations will include Beccles, Felixstowe, Lowestoft and Woodbridge

  • Each satellite location will feature at least six sculptures, including both large and small hares

The bottom line: The partnership between Ipswich Town FC and St Elizabeth Hospice continues a successful relationship that has already helped raise vital funds for hospice care across Suffolk.

Our content is free to read thanks to the generous support of Ellisons Solicitors, GBS and All About Hearing

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Ellisons Solicitors

Established for 260 years, Ellisons is a top 200 UK law firm and one of the region’s oldest, most established and fastest growing firms.
GBS logo

GBS

This family-run construction company has delivered quality services across commercial building, fire protection, diamond drilling, health and safety, and asbestos removal for over 30 years.
Russell Osman having his ears checked by All About Hearing audiologist and co-director, Karen Finch

Exceptional hearing care with a personal touch

Suffolk’s independent hearing specialists, combining expert care, cutting-edge technology and personalised service to help you hear at your best.
News

SEN Santa sessions at Buttermarket this weekend

Santa will turn down the music and limit numbers at the Buttermarket Shopping Centre this weekend after parents asked for calmer festive events for children with special educational needs (SEN).
by
Continue reading →
News

Suffolk researchers test whether singing can treat Parkinson's 'poker face'

Researchers in Suffolk are launching what they believe is the first UK study testing whether musical-theatre-style singing can rehabilitate facial expression in Parkinson's patients – addressing a symptom that affects around 9 in 10 people but has limited treatment options.
by
Continue reading →
News

Woman fighting for life after hit-and-run on Burrell Road

A woman is in a life-threatening condition in hospital after being hit by a car whose driver fled the scene on Burrell Road in Ipswich this morning, with a man in his 30s now arrested in connection with the incident.
by
Continue reading →

Ellisons Solicitors, GBS and All About Hearing

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Ellisons Solicitors

Established for 260 years, Ellisons is a top 200 UK law firm and one of the region’s oldest, most established and fastest growing firms.
GBS logo

GBS

This family-run construction company has delivered quality services across commercial building, fire protection, diamond drilling, health and safety, and asbestos removal for over 30 years.
Russell Osman having his ears checked by All About Hearing audiologist and co-director, Karen Finch

Exceptional hearing care with a personal touch

Suffolk’s independent hearing specialists, combining expert care, cutting-edge technology and personalised service to help you hear at your best.
News

Gym manager's childhood inspires hospital toy appeal

A Martlesham gym manager who spent much of her childhood in hospital has launched a toy appeal that has collected nearly 150 Christmas gifts for young patients at Ipswich Hospital.
by
Continue reading →

Ellisons Solicitors, GBS and All About Hearing

Ellisons' new premises at Connexions on Princes Street, Ipswich

Ellisons Solicitors

Established for 260 years, Ellisons is a top 200 UK law firm and one of the region’s oldest, most established and fastest growing firms.
GBS logo

GBS

This family-run construction company has delivered quality services across commercial building, fire protection, diamond drilling, health and safety, and asbestos removal for over 30 years.
Russell Osman having his ears checked by All About Hearing audiologist and co-director, Karen Finch

Exceptional hearing care with a personal touch

Suffolk’s independent hearing specialists, combining expert care, cutting-edge technology and personalised service to help you hear at your best.
News

Police appeal for witnesses after Pearl Road burglary

Detectives are investigating a burglary at a home on Pearl Road in Ipswich on Monday evening, where jewellery and bank cards were stolen and used fraudulently.
by
Continue reading →
Load more content
Our content is free to read thanks to
Our content is free to read thanks to
Our content is free to read thanks to
Want our best content delivered to your inbox every Friday?

Have you subscribed to our free weekly newsletter?

If you haven’t, you really should. You’ll get our best content delivered to your inbox every Friday afternoon, just in time for the weekend. You can unsubscribe at any time, although 99.7% of people don’t.

  • Lee Walker
  • Joe Bailey of Brighten the Corners
  • Mark Hubert
6,630+ people are already loving it