Eleven Special Olympics Suffolk athletes from badminton, athletics and gymnastics and their supporters joined together with a gang of 14 volunteers on a fun Scavenger Hunt around Historic Ipswich on Sunday 8th September.

The participants started off this fundraising and social event from Ipswich Train Station and the 3k route took them past Ipswich Docks, statues of Cardinal Wolsey and Gile’s Grandma to the Town Hall, several churches and art centres to Christchurch Mansions in Christchurch Park. Thankfully, the weather was kind to us and the rain clouds kept away…

Each participant was given an map and some directions to follow and they had to answer clues along the way. The volunteer Marshals were placed at strategic check points along the route and stamped their Scavenger Hunt Passports to acknowledge their progress.

. The event was supported by Ipswich Borough Council and Health and Wellbeing Officer, Zak Butler was on hand all day to support the event which culminated in a picnic lunch in Christchurch Park and a game of rounders afterwards was enjoyed by all.

A prize of a family swim was donated by Ipswich Borough Council and will be awarded to the participant who raises the most sponsor money and Athletes Amy and Liam were awarded their prizes of affiliation fees for 2025 kindly donated by an anonymous donor, for getting all ten answers to the clues of the Scavenger Hunt correct.

Sears and Bacon, Construction and Development from East Anglia kindly sponsored the high visibility jackets and Suffolk Sounds dedicated some music to Special Olympics Suffolk whilst we enjoyed out picnic lunches in the park.

Special thanks to our volunteers who gave up their Sunday to help out at the event and also to the families and friends who supported the participants on the day – we couldn’t have done it without you!