A wager between rival football fans is set to make "the world of difference" to those suffering in silence in the ultimate act of good sportsmanship. 

Norwich City fan Tony Abigail, who lives in Worstead near North Walsham, came to Ipswich on Wednesday to give £10 in person to the Samaritans. 

He had a wager with a stranger on Facebook at the start of the football season that if Ipswich won promotion to the Premier League this season then he would donate £10 to the Samaritans.

But if the Canaries, the Blues' arch-rivals, go up then the person he made the bet with said they would donate the same amount to the Royal British Legion.

With the win on Saturday against Huddersfield Town, Ipswich sealed promotion, and keeping his word Mr Abigail came to meet the Samaritans in St Helen's Street. 

Ipswich Star: Mr Abigail urges others to follow suit and donate to the SamaritansMr Abigail urges others to follow suit and donate to the Samaritans (Image: Charlotte Bond)

He urges other Ipswich Town supporters to do the same and donate to the Samaritans.  

"If they can even prevent one death in Suffolk it can be great," he added. 

"People can just hand a £10 note, there is no JustGiving, there is no giving bank details. Just come down here, see these lovely people and hand £10 over."

A volunteer for the Ipswich and East Suffolk Samaritans Lorna Savoy thanked Mr Abigail, saying that his using his football connections to raise awareness for their charity is a "great gesture".

Ipswich Star: Samaritans volunteer Lorna Savoy called this a great gesture.Samaritans volunteer Lorna Savoy called this a great gesture. (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"It only takes one person to find out about us when they need it the most to make a world of difference," she added. 

"This chap is just an ordinary person just like all of our callers who are just ordinary people going through different times of their life and he has taken advantage of an unfortunate thing in his life and turned it around."

It is hoped fans from both clubs may dig into their pockets to support both the causes. 

If anyone wants to donate to the Samaritans they can either call 116 123 or visit their website (https://samaritanscommunity.enthuse.com/ipswichandeastsuffolksamaritans/profile). 

However, Norwich City is still in the hunt for promotion, playing Leeds on May 12 and 16.

Mr Abigail is still hoping that the Canaries find their way through to the playoffs and meet Ipswich Town in the Premier League, in which case the person he met on Facebook would have to donate £10 to the RBL.

Those wishing to donate to the RNL can call 07901516274 or visit their website  (https://counties.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/suffolk/).