For the last two years the East Anglian Children’s Hospices (EACH) has been the designated charity of Leiston Football Club and the LTAA (Leiston Town Athletic Association). In order to raise important funds for our designated Charity a wide variety of fundraising activities have taken place – ‘Heads and Tails’ at evening functions, ‘Horse auctions’ at Race Nights and our inaugural Ladies Charity Night. Over the last 12 months the club and its members have raised a wonderful £650 for EACH and on the evening of 17 August, members of Leiston Football Club joined EACH fundraiser Gemma Smith, to hand over the latest cheque. Gemma took everyone on a tour of the Treehouse in Ipswich explaining how our donation will be spent supporting the wonderful work done by everyone at EACH.

Joe Jefford, who was accompanied by his wife Amy, one of the models from our Ladies Charity night said, “Having visited the hospice and had a tour of the building, we were amazed by the facilities and support available to the children and their families. Understandably a provision such as this is extremely expensive to build and maintain. Myself, fellow players and Leiston Football Club certainly look forward to supporting this fantastic charity further by taking part in future fundraising activities."

The visit to the Treehouse was truly inspiring and the players at Leiston Football Club are already planning further fundraising events. Certainly Gareth Heath was heard to say the words ‘muddy challenge’ so it looks like a Tough Mudder Extreme Challenge is certainly on the cards for next year.

Leiston Football Club and the LTAA would like to thank Gemma Smith for showing the group around the Treehouse on 17 August and for the support she gave us when organising the Ladies Fashion Show (Charity Evening). Gemma said “Thank you so much to everyone at Leiston Football Club for raising such an incredible amount this year. A lot of hard work and effort has been put in throughout the year. The fashion show was definitely a highlight and it was great to see everyone involved – from the players, their wives and girlfriends and everyone at the club who supported the event and donated clothes. This will make a huge difference to the care and support we provide both at the Treehouse hospice in Ipswich and in families’ homes across Suffolk.”

The photograph shows (L-R) Amy Jefford, Joe Jefford, Gemma Smith (EACH), Leon Ottley-Gooch, Gareth Heath and Joe Francis.

For more information on EACH please contact Gemma Smith at gemma.smith@each.org.uk