The campaign to raise funds for a statue of Kevin Beattie hit the £11,000 mark in the first day following its launch.

Led by the EADT and Ipswich Star in conjunction with BBC Radio Suffolk and TWTD, The Beat Goes On was launched yesterday on what would have been the Blues legend’s 65th birthday. Beattie died in September, aged 64.

The campaign aims to raise the £110,000 required for the statue and additional associated costs.

Town season ticket holder Sean Hedges-Quinn, known as Coach, who sculpted the statues of Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson, will be commissioned for the project with preliminary discussions regarding the design and situation at Portman Road having already taken place.

You can make a donation online via the Go Fund Me page or send a cheque made payable to ‘The Beat Goes On’ to Kevin Beattie Statue Appeal, EADT, Portman House, 120 Princes Street, Ipswich, IP1 1RS.

There are also collection buckets at reception at the EADT’s offices and at BBC Radio Suffolk. A number of events and other fundraising activities are planned for the months to come.

Photo: TWTD

SouperJim added 11:59 - Dec 19 I don't mean to be negative, but how were the funds raised for the statues of Sir Alf and Sir Bobby? Are the club putting anything in?
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bgexile added 12:07 - Dec 19 Call me a cynic, but there are plenty of current and ex players for whom a sum like that is just loose change.
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Warkys_Tash added 13:27 - Dec 19 Wouldnt it be more fitting if the whole amount was raised soley by Town fans? Hopefully we will be consulted, along with Beats family what form the statue might take. Surely an action pose from Beat in is heyday, complete with late 70's locks? Thank goodness it will be the same sculpturer that created Ramsey & Robson & not the one that created ‘Ronaldo' :-D
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BobbyBell added 15:36 - Dec 19 I believe that the statue will be of him rising to head the ball. Anyone who remembers the Beat will remember just how high he rose above the others. An awesome player and he truly deserves this honour. I couldn't believe what I what I was seeing at times and I've never seen another player with all his attributes. at some matches
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SuperBlue67 added 16:48 - Dec 19 Warkys tash I fully agree I am sure the club will make up any shortfall(yeah right as if) but this would be nice to be a fans tribute to the most fantastic player. I was lucky enough to drink in the Belstead Arms in the late 80s and would even sometimes have the honour of giving him a lift into town I have never met a greater man. I question to you Phil if you see this is it a charity the collection. Just means gift aid and also company tax relief which would help raise more?

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Bergholtblue added 19:05 - Dec 19 Walks Tash... or the one that designed Mo Salah's !!! It would be lovely if all the money came from the fans but dreadful if the target wasn't raised Therefore, I would also like to see ME say that he would match the money raised.
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ThatMuhrenCross added 20:32 - Dec 19 Put it at the train station so that away fans can have a bit of an education about how great this club really is.
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