Promising young footballers from Ipswich are hoping to illuminate the Waterfront with their bright orange charity tops during next month’s Christmas lantern walk.

Ipswich Star: This is the first time the lantern walk is coming to Ipswich. Picture: EAST ANGLIA'S CHILDREN'S HOSPICESThis is the first time the lantern walk is coming to Ipswich. Picture: EAST ANGLIA'S CHILDREN'S HOSPICES (Image: Archant)

Promising young footballers from Ipswich are hoping to illuminate the Waterfront with their bright orange charity tops during next month’s Christmas lantern walk.

Ten members of the St Johns under 12s team are already signed up for the event – which collects cash for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) – and are aiming to boost numbers by bringing their families and friends along.

Manager Rikki Brockwell visited the Treehouse in Ipswich earlier in the year and was inspired by the work they carry out. He is also planning to take on the walk, which is being hosted on December 8.

“We’re all really excited for the walk and are looking forward to dressing up in festive gear as well as our new tops,” he said.

“EACH is our chosen charity, we’ve heard a lot about the great work they do and when I asked parents and the kids what charity they wanted to raise money for they chose EACH by a margin of something ridiculous like 80%.

“I have been to the Treehouse and they do brilliant work so I thought it’s about time we gave something back to them.

He added: “About 10 of our players chose to do the lantern walk, they’re going to be wearing their EACH tops.

“The boys raised enough money to buy their own kits so they could put the EACH logo on their tops.

“Ipswich Town stole our thunder a bit and had the logo put on first!

“Our collection buckets for the walk are already getting heavy – we’re hoping to raise over £1,000 if we can.”

Pledging to bring a touch of Christmas magic to the Waterfront for the first time ever this year, the lantern walk starts and finishes at DanceEast in Foundry Lane.

Festive entertainment will be on hand alongside refreshments, and participants are encouraged to pull on their Santa hats and get into the Christmas spirit.

Fundraising assistant for EACH Suffolk, Georgia Memory, said: “We’re really excited to be hosting a Christmas-themed event at the start of December so we can help everyone get in the mood for the big day.

“Families can expect a lovely evening, with lots of opportunities to take photos and enjoy some time together.”

Tickets for the walk cost £12, and under threes go free.

Prices include a lantern and LED tealight, as well as a medal.

For more information and to sign up, visit the East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices website.