LAST year Ipswich Town helped to raise £10 million for charitable organisations.This year they aim to break that incredible figure.To this goal the club has announced the names of the 30 charities it will support this season, although chairman David Sheepshanks emphasised that Ipswich will not be turning its back on all other requests.

LAST year Ipswich Town helped to raise £10 million for charitable organisations.

This year they aim to break that incredible figure.

To this goal the club has announced the names of the 30 charities it will support this season, although chairman David Sheepshanks emphasised that Ipswich will not be turning its back on all other requests.

"We will still be supporting village fetes and small concerns as best we can," he said.

Sheepshanks gave the club's reasons for their new approach to charity cases.

He said at a special launch involving representatives from the selected charities: "We are inundated with requests for help, in fact countless numbers.

"We are very conscious of the power that football has on people's lives, but we cannot help every single concern, as much as we would like to.

"So we have changed our approach and opted for a limited number of charities, with our priority given to local concerns.

"We are proud to have raised £10m through donations and assistance given through the community.

"Autographed footballs and pennants can make a lot of money and I heard the other day of a pennant signed by our manager George Burley that fetched £500 at an auction.

"Our aim is to show an increase on the £10m."

Ipswich Town considered all the applications this year through their staff led by public relations manager Judy Dow and at board level.

Ipswich Town first team players Hermann Hreidarsson and Jamie Clapham were on hand to sign autographs at the launch.

Christine Beedle from Suffolk Young Enterprise expressed the views of the officials of organisations picked out by the football club.

She said: "Our tie-in with Ipswich Town is so important to us, and not just from a financial viewpoint.

"They allow us to use facilities at their ground to hold workshops – and there is no doubt at all that we attract youngsters who would not get involved if the courses were held elsewhere.

"And David Sheepshanks is the perfect role model for our organisation. He has advanced from running his own business to become the force he is today.

"Our aims are to encourage youngsters to create their own businesses which can only be good for the well-being of Suffolk life.

"We need volunteers and this also focus helps no end."

Carolyne Morey from the Disability Care Enterprise said: "It gives us a big boost to have Ipswich Town showing an interest in us and we appreciate the help the club gives to local concerns like ours."

Apart from donations, Ipswich Town help out with signed memorabilia and celebrity appearances with the club chairman saying how willing all the players are to help.

"They are all aware of their duties to the community and we are very encouraged by all their efforts," added Sheepshanks.

The Ipswich Town charities for season 2001/02 are: Addenbrooke's Hospital, Age Concern, Breathe Easy – British Lung Foundation, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research Campaign, Colchester General Hospital, Disability Care Enterprise, Drugs Action Team, Duke of Edinburgh Award, East Anglia's Children's Hospice, East Suffolk Mind, Headway – Ipswich, High Sheriff's Award, Ipswich Foyer, Ipswich Hospital, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Outward Bound, Prince's Trust Volunteers, Sargent Cancer Care for Children, Sporting Chance, St John's Ambulance, Sue Ryder Care, Suffolk Clubs for Young People, Suffolk Constabulary Community Action Team, Suffolk Deaf Association, Suffolk Young Enterprise, St Elizabeth's Hospice, St Helena's Hospice, St Nicholas Hospice, West Suffolk Hospital.