The Ipswich businessman who has raised £50k for charity

Rather than just signing a cheque or running a marathon, Barry Griffiths instead has raised the cash through selling and donating sports memorabilia.

Over the past year, Mr Griffiths, the owner of Barr Personnel, has sold or donated signed England football shirts, boxing shorts, golf caps and motorsport photographs. 

Signed boxing gloves as part of Barry Griffiths' personal collection (Image: Newsquest)

All the proceeds have gone towards charity organisations like Cancer Support Suffolk, Suffolk Mind and the Ipswich Town Foundation. 

"I get a real buzz out of supporting my local community," he said.

"After all this isn't about Barry at Barr, it's about getting people behind these great local charities."

All of the proceeds go to supporting charities (Image: Barry Griffiths)

Mr Griffiths lost both his mother and business partner to cancer and decided to support charities in the work that they do. 

"It wasn't until I met Jon Neal, the chief executive at Suffolk Mind, that I found the money I was donating was going nationally, it wasn't going to my local community."

He then decided to donate a signed football shirt where all of the funds would go directly towards charities around the local area. 

This glove was signed by Manny Pacquiao (Image: Newsquest)

Growing up an football and boxing fan, he had acquired various bits of sports collectables though auctions and events. 

After moving out of the previous office a few years ago, Mr Griffiths realised that his sport memorabilia collection was quite extensive and they may go to better use supporting local organisations.

Barry Griffiths is starting to be known as Mr. Charity (Image: Barry Griffiths)

He said: "People have started calling me Mr Charity but I run a recruitment agency, not a memorabilia shop.

"I donated a Harry Kane shirt and if that raises over a thousand pounds it will pay for free breakfasts for year.

"I want to be part of a really positive story."

Signed shorts from Rocky IV (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Griffiths has also donated signed Lionesses, a signed Ipswich Town shirt, a Rory Mcllroy cap and other more quirky items. 

He added: "The most unique thing has to be boxing shorts from Rocky, signed by the whole cast."