A group of Ipswich fans who collected donations for a town foodbank outside Portman Road on Saturday said they were "blown away" by the generosity of supporters. 

The fan-led initiative is working in partnership with Ipswich Town Foundation to encourage supporters to donate food items in the club's FanZone before matches for local charity partner, Ipswich FIND (Families in Need). 

The campaign was launched on Saturday before the Blues' match with Plymouth Argyle. 

Ipswich Star: Brooke Cadwell, a member of the group, with boxes full of donationsBrooke Cadwell, a member of the group, with boxes full of donations (Image: Charlie Nixon)

"We were blown away by how much people donated," said spokesman and organiser of the initiative, Charlie Nixon.

"We managed to fill 20 boxes and raised £750 so it surpassed all of our expectations.

"It is a true testament to Ipswich fans and the community the football club has."

Collections are being organised monthly at first, but the group is hoping to expand as the campaign grows. 

It is an arm of the original Fans Supporting Foodbanks initiative that launched in 2015 - which has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of donations for local causes.

"It's not charity, it's solidarity," added Charlie. 

"We want people to come together to fight against poverty. 

Ipswich Star: The group managed to fill 20 boxes with donations for the foodbankThe group managed to fill 20 boxes with donations for the foodbank (Image: Charlie Nixon)

"That's what we saw on Saturday. 

"Some people had even purchased so many items before the match that they had to donate some of it beforehand.

"It was incredible and we're on cloud nine."

All items will be donated to FIND foodbank in an effort to help them support an ever-increasing number of users. 

The group said the initial objective had been to just gather items and not ask for any money. 

However, they decided to take some donation buckets along just to see what they could raise for the foodbank.

Ipswich Star: A total of £750 was raised - which will be used to purchase 3 cookers and 2 microwavesA total of £750 was raised - which will be used to purchase 3 cookers and 2 microwaves (Image: Charlie Nixon)

"We really didn't expect to raise anything," said Charlie.

"We just decided to walk up and down Portman Road and Sir Alf Ramsey Way to see what small amount we might be able to get.

"But we ended up raising £750 which was just unbelievable.

"We even had people donating £10 and £20 notes.

"We're so grateful for all of this support."

Maureen Reynel, the founder of Ipswich FIND, said this money will be used to purchase three new ovens and two microwaves, "enabling food to be cooked and the children fed."

Ipswich Star: Maureen Reynel of Ipswich FINDMaureen Reynel of Ipswich FIND (Image: Newsquest)

She added: "What a blessing for those in need.

"It's so amazingly brilliant and we're so thankful."