Hundreds of veterans are set to be honoured at Ipswich Town’s match against Swansea City to mark Remembrance Day.
The club has once again teamed up with local social enterprise Combat2Coffee for its second annual Medals2Matches fixture.
Veterans and serving armed forces personnel are being encouraged to wear their medals to the match, making them eligible for refreshments discounts throughout the stadium and FanZone.
The club is also donating 100 tickets to members of the veteran’s community and Combat2Coffee support staff, with each recipient also receiving a specially designed Hoax Medals2Matches hoodie from Combat2Coffee.
Nigel Seaman, Founder of Combat2Coffee, said: “Medals2Matches is a great way of honouring the heroes in our community.
“There will be hundreds – if not thousands – of serving and former armed forces members in the stands every match. It is only right we recognise them for their service to this country.
“It will be fantastic to see so many wearing their medals, following on from the success of last year’s event.
“We hope it will act as a way for people to recognise the heroes who sit among them in the stands week in, week out.”
Soldiers from RAF Wattisham will be supporting the club’s on-pitch tribute alongside club staff who have also previously served within the armed forces. A bugler from the East of England Co-op band will be performing The Last Post and leading supporters in a minute’s silence ahead of kick-off.
For this fixture, the Royal British Legion will be collecting donations in areas surrounding Portman Road as well as in the hospitality areas and within the FanZone. Also in the FanZone will be members from 7 Para Royal House Artillery, who will be on-hand to educate and interact with supporters who wish to find out more about the regiment.
“This is a hugely important event in our fixture calendar,” Mark Ashton, Town’s CEO, said.
“Remembrance Day is a day very close to my heart as it runs in the family blood in serving our country.
“The work that Nigel and everyone at Combat2Coffee is doing is truly fantastic and I am delighted to see Medals2Matches back again this year.”
Jason Carter, Director of HOAX, added: “I was introduced to Nigel at this year’s Suffolk Show. He was an instantly likeable guy, full of energy and passion for the great work he does for veterans and their mental health.
“When he asked if we would like to get involved with this year’s Medals2Matches, it was always going to be a big yes.
“Like many people of my age, my grandad fought in WW2, receiving the Distinguished Conduct Medal from King George VI.
“In my opinion he didn’t get to wear this medal enough, so giving servicemen and women an additional opportunity to show pride in their service is an amazing thing to be a small part of.”
More information on how Town will be commemorating Remembrance Day can be found at www.itfc.co.uk.
