x

McKenna: Some of the Foundation's Projects Are More Important Than Football - Ipswich Town News

Blues boss Kieran McKenna has stressed the importance of the Ipswich Town Foundation ahead of the now-annual fixture dedicated to the club’s community wing against Middlesbrough at Portman Road on Saturday.

The Foundation Fixture, which was instigated for the first time last season for the 6-0 hammering of Charlton Athletic, is dedicated to raising awareness of the work of the Ipswich Town Foundation as well as providing a fundraising opportunity with more than £30,000 raised at the Addicks match a year ago.

Supporters are encouraged to donate to the Foundation through bucket collections, which will include contactless devices for those looking to pay by card. Online donations are also accepted through the Foundation’s JustGiving page and text donations can be made by texting ITFC followed by the sum pledged, eg ITFC10 to donate £10, to 70850.

Town themselves are donating £1 from each home match ticket, £1 from every matchday programme, 50 per cent of the profits on new Foundation products in Planet Blue, 50p per pint and 100 per cent of the profits from the Matchday Lottery.

Some local businesses are also committing to raise cash, among them The Greyhound, Honey & Harvey, The Falcon, Bar Twenty One, the Arcade Tavern, The Cake Station in the FanZone and Combat4Coffee.

"It's so, so important to everyone involved at the football club,” McKenna said when asked about the Foundation.

"I think the work that's going on is tremendous and is only going from strength to strength.

"It's nice that that's the day to celebrate tomorrow. It's nice to have it at the moment, to be honest, because everyone's going to the game tomorrow, we're wanting a performance, we're wanting a win.

"It's the stage of the season where supporters and everyone around the football club are thinking about the outcomes and how a season might finish. But the important thing with the Foundation is that continues irrespective of the result on a Saturday or the result on a Wednesday or an outcome at the end of the season. 

"Some of the projects are more important than football and the work they do in the community is more important than any given football match.

"It's great at this busy stage of the season. And, of course, an important stage of the season for those not directly involved in the match to spend a little bit of time and focus on celebrating the work the Foundation does.”

What to read next:

Town Announce Matchday Ticket Prices
Town have confirmed their matchday ticket prices for the Championship season ahead.
Luongo Close to Joining Millwall
Former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo is closing in on joining Millwall following his trial with the Lions.
Eze Nets Twice as U19s Draw Opener at Czech Tournament
Striker Nelson Eze scored twice as an U19 Town side drew 2-2 with hosts Banik Ostrava in their opening match at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.
Young: Working With McKenna Again Was a Massive Pull
New Blues signing Ashley Young says manager Kieran McKenna played a big part in his decision to join Town having left Everton at the end of last season.
Town Confirm Young Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of veteran former England international Ashley Young on a one-year deal.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Released Forward Roberts Joins Stevenage
Released Blues U21s forward Matty Roberts has joined League One Stevenage following a trial.
Young Close to Completing Town Move
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is close to completing a move to the Blues on a one-year deal.
Former Town Youth Coach Owen Dies
Former Town youth coach Brian Owen has died, aged 80.
Emmanuel-Thomas Joins AFC Totton
Ex-Town forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has joined National League South AFC Totton following his release from prison on parole.