A CLOSURE of a sports and social club has left a £10,000 silver lining for sick youngsters in Ipswich.Once the decision was taken to close the EDF Energy sports and social club the remaining members chose to donate its funds to the East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

A CLOSURE of a sports and social club has left a £10,000 silver lining for sick youngsters in Ipswich.

Once the decision was taken to close the EDF Energy sports and social club the remaining members chose to donate its funds to the East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).

Martin Cant who was on the club's committee said: “We had raised £10,068.01 through subscriptions to the club over the years.

“We pay 65p a month and it's built up so we had to make a decision of what to do with it.

“As we are based in Ipswich we wanted it to go to the Ipswich branch so the money will specifically help the Ipswich Children's Hospice.

“I think we have made the best use we can of the money. Every little bit helps and everyone is pleased they could put a little bit towards it.”

Mr Cant said that the reason the club, which was based on Fore Hamlet in Ipswich, had had to close was because it faced a decline in the number of members.

He added: “Many sports and social clubs are having to close but that doesn't mean that people can't still organise things off their own back because it is important to keep a social aspect.

“It is a shame that the social club has come to an end after many active years with varied events supported by the members.

“But we trust that by donating the money to EACH, our members can be assured that these funds will be put to good use helping children in the community.”

Annette Thurbon, corporate fundraiser for EACH, said: “It is amazingly generous. I was expecting them to donate about £200 not £10,000, we don't normally get amounts of money like that.

“It is especially kind because they could have given that money back to their members but instead they chose to give it to charity.”

She added: “It will make a massive difference to the lives of children and their families.”

Are you worried that sports and social clubs are closing? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail at eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.