Shaun Whiter, one of the local footballers seriously injured in a hit and run incident in Newmarket in July, will join Simon Milton, Terry Butcher, Russell Osman, Titus Bramble, Mick Stockwell, Neil Thompson, James Scowcroft, Alan Lee, Bryan Klug and Lee O’Neill on the ITFC Tour of Suffolk charity cycle ride on Sunday 14th and Monday 15th May.
In each of the last three years TEAMITFC has taken on a cycle challenge which between them have helped raise more than £250,000 for charity.
For 2017 Milton, Town’s director of academy sales, is leading a team of more than 100 cyclists on a Tour of Suffolk, travelling 150 miles over two days through the Suffolk countryside, raising funds for Prostate Cancer UK, the Friends of Ipswich Town charity and various other nominated charities.
Milton said: "TEAMITFC consists of local businessmen and women who have all taken on the challenge as a personal goal with a fundraising initiative.
"We have various companies as sponsors and also a support team to help us with the organisation and delivery of the challenge.
"We also have brilliant support from ITFC club and academy staff who have chosen to support the cycle ride by registering for the team.
"A brilliant group of former players have also signed up, Terry Butcher, Russell Osman, Titus Bramble, Mick Stockwell, Neil Thompson, James Scowcroft, Alan Lee and I are all part of the team and will be offering support and stories along the way.”
Bryan Klug and Lee O'Neill from the academy are also planning to take part, as well as other club staff.
Milton added: "The challenge leaves Portman Road on Sunday 14th May at 10am and returns to Portman Rd at 4pm on Monday 15th May. Stop-off points are provided by Greene King and The East of England Co-op to make sure all cyclists are refuelled along the way.
"The overnight accommodation for everyone is at the Potters Resort. The venue is excellent and they have organised a private room with a bar for us on arrival, somewhere to store our bikes, shoes and helmets overnight and a private room for dinner and breakfast. "I am delighted to get such a large team for 2017 and I look forward to being part of another excellent charity challenge for Team ITFC.”
Whiter, who played local football for Newmarket Town and Soham Town Rangers, will be completing the ride on a specially-designed bike, having had both his legs amputated when he and his friend Joey Abbs were struck by a car as they were changing a wheel by the roadside, and will also be raising money for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.
He outlined why he is joining TEAMITFC: "On the night of 1st July 2016 I was involved in a hit and run accident which sadly resulted in me losing both of my lower legs and changing my life forever. I was taken by Air Ambulance to Addenbrookes Hospital and due to the amazing care and attention I was out within a month. "I would like to take on this challenge not only on a personal level but to say thank you to everything that Ipswich Town Football Club have done for me. "It has only been just over six months since my accident and I feel I have come a long way already and that is due to the support of the amazing people I have around me and the people I have met along the way. Team ITFC will include shaun whiter for 2017! Brilliant personal challenge and welcome to the team! #topman pic.twitter.com/XRlxbq0bsW– Simon Milton (@Milts25) January 19, 2017
"Ipswich Town have given me the chance to get back in to a team environment and along with the other 100 riders involved in the tour off Suffolk we can help raise money and awareness for two great charities.
"Ipswich Town along with Newmarket Town arranged a charity football match which was a huge goal for me to work towards coming out of hospital for.
"Ipswich then invited me down to the training ground to meet all of the players, Mick McCarthy and the team from the East Anglian Air Ambulance, this was an amazing day and one I will never forget.
"They also asked us to be their Community Champions and handover the match ball at the start of the game which was such an honour.
"I would like to say thank you for everything that they have done for me and I wouldn’t be where I am without their help and support so with this I would like to help them and take part in this charity bike ride.”
To find out how to join TEAMITFC on the Tour of Suffolk, visit the new ITFC Academy website here.
The main sponsor of the Tour of Suffolk is GAH Refrigeration, while Marshall Hatchick Solicitors, Hopkins Homes and Seven Telematics are associate sponsors. Support will be provided by Elmy Cycles, Greene King, the East Of England Co-op and Global Self Drive.