JUST how convenient are buses in Ipswich?That is the question being asked this August in a money raising exercise for the Ipswich Blind Society.Anyone can enter The Ipswich Bus Challenge which will seek to find out how long it would take to do a dash around town taking in four sport centres and four supermarkets.

By Nick Richards

JUST how convenient are buses in Ipswich?

That is the question being asked this August in a money raising exercise for the Ipswich Blind Society.

Anyone can enter The Ipswich Bus Challenge which will seek to find out how long it would take to do a dash around town taking in four sport centres and four supermarkets.

The start and finish will be at Crown Pools and the task must be completed on any one day between Monday August 12 and Saturday August 17.

Ipswich Blind Society fundraiser, Paul Finnerty, of Mersey Road, said: "All you have to do is visit the Maidenhall, Whitton, Northgate and Gainsborough Sports Centres as well as Sainsburys at Warren Heath, Asda at Goddard Road, Morrisons at Sproughton Road and Tesco at Copdock all in one day using Ipswich Buses."

All those taking part must start at Crown Pools no earlier than 9am and finish back at the same place no later than 7pm. The other eight locations can be visited at any time during the day with participants getting a sticker at each location.

Paul added: "This is not a race, it is a sponsored event. There are no points or prizes for speed – we consider it enough of a challenge learning the locations and bus routes without having to rush at it."

There is no entry or registration fee but each participant will have to buy a one-day bus pass costing £3. This will be refunded to all those who raise over £35 and send in their sponsor money by October 17. Those people will also be entered into a free draw.

There are two categories, over 16 and under 16 and additional prizes will be awarded to both groups who raise the greatest amount of money.

n Full details and application forms are available at all eight Ipswich high schools, Ipswich buses, Tower Ramparts information desk, Crown Pools, and the five Ipswich sports centres at Gainsborough, Whitton, Northgate, Maidenhall and Chantry. For further information, contact Paul Finnerty on 01473 716310.