Ipswich Town FC are showing appreciation of the emergency services by providing free tickets to the local hospital staff for the opener against Birmingham on August 5.
Mick McCarthy’s team will be backed by up to 1000 nurses and other NHS staff from Ipswich Hospital for the first home game of the season courtesy of the Club.
As well as nurses and their colleagues in the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand, the Hospital will be represented in the Directors’ Box as VIP guests of the Club.
Leading the teams out as Ipswich Town’s first Community Champion of the season, and carrying the match ball, will also be a chosen member of staff from the Hospital who has gone above and beyond their daily role to help the community.
In addition to the NHS staff attending the Birmingham game, Ipswich Town will also be saluting the work of the fire, ambulance and police services at the Fulham match on August 26.
The Club are allocating a number of free tickets to each of the three emergency services for the game.
All three will be represented in the Boardroom and as Community Champions on an occasion labelled 999 Day by Blues.
On the Club website, Ipswich Town MD, Ian Milne, said: “It’s been a challenging year for the emergency services in this country, with the terrorist attacks in Manchester and London as well as the Grenfell Tower fire.
“This is our small way of showing support for the fantastic work they all do.
“The Club has a close relationship with Ipswich Hospital, using their expertise for our players and the opposition on occasions when injured.
“We look forward to welcoming the nurses and other staff against Birmingham next week and the fire, ambulance and police services at Fulham.”
Ipswich Town midfielder, Luke Hyam, who was born in Ipswich Hospital, joined Mr Milne in presenting tickets to staff there.
Ipswich Town will play against Birmingham City at Portman Road on Saturday August 5 at 3pm kick-off as the league season gets underway.
The game against Fulham is on Saturday August 26 at the same kick-off time of 3pm.
For more information and to catch up on the latest Club news visit the ITFC website at www.itfc.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here