The Suffolk Punch Trust, the charity dedicated to helping protect the critically endangered Suffolk Punch, the breed of horse which features on Town’s badge, is after help from TWTD readers.

Efforts to protect the future of this Suffolk icon are critical as there are currently fewer Suffolk Punches globally than giant pandas.

The Suffolk Punch horse is the oldest English breed of working horse and The Suffolk Punch Trust was founded to help protect it through its established breeding programme, raising public awareness and training a new generation of professionals to work with them.

The Trust, which is based at Hollesley, is one of the key centres for conservation of the breed anywhere in the world with a key role in breeding programmes.

Costs of running the facility have increased recently, due to the general rise in energy costs, which has significantly affected the money available for the conservation work.

New fundraising efforts have resulted in installation of 48 solar panels on the visitor centre, which is helping the Trust to move towards becoming self-sufficient for energy and this is already having a real impact on costs.

“A small group of friends have co-ordinated the fundraising to install solar panels on the visitor centre roof but it doesn’t stop there,” volunteer fundraiser Barry Bloomfield told TWTD.

“We now need to install a battery system to back this up so we are launching our Pint for the Punch campaign. If Town supporters were to generously contribute the cost of a pint or two to the fund we are confident we can quickly raise the additional £20,000.

“With your help we can work to keep our rare breed and a Suffolk and Ipswich Town icon alive. All funds will go directly to our Green Punch Challenge.”

Opening times for the visitor centre can be checked here with a cafe, museum and heritage garden, donkeys, Shetland ponies, goats, guinea pigs and Ixworth hens in addition to the horses themselves.

The Suffolk Punch became part of Ipswich Town’s iconography in 1972 when John Gammage won a competition to design a new badge for the club, believing the horse to be “a noble animal, well suited to dominate our design and represent the club”.

The Punch quickly became associated with the Blues and remained on the badge following its 1995 redesign.

Donations can be made via a Just Giving account, while corporate donors can make contact by email to either Barry or Dr Berwyn Clarke via sptfunding@gmail.com.

Photo: TWTD

rodgero added 16:24 - Jul 24 The Suffolk Punch Visitor Centre is a great place to visit especially with the kids.Very interesting,horses to see and stroke,great shop and cafe with plenty of parking.Just check opening times.I loved it and a great cause
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itsonlyme added 16:58 - Jul 24 Can’t let this wonderful animal disappear! I will visit it and take my grandsons when back from holiday !
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stonojnr added 18:41 - Jul 24 Ive got a better idea,speak to a brewery like say Greene King, ask them to make a beer called Suffolk Punch,get them to sell it at the ground, and donate 10p-20p from every pint sold to the trust. Id drink to that :)
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BlueFarmy added 22:11 - Jul 24 Mauldons which is the oldest brewery in Suffolk already makes a beer called suffolk punch. Cheers
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BlueFarmy added 22:12 - Jul 24 Sorry stonojnr, I was trying to upvote you, fat thumbs
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Elwood added 22:59 - Jul 24 Stonojnr, excellent idea. Unless BlueFarmy can get Mauldons into ITFC
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Gogs added 23:04 - Jul 24 i know a few brewers in Suffolk. I also thought of the idea to ask for a brew to be made along these lines with a cut of profits going to the charity. I'll speak to some of them this week at Ipswich Beer Festival
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buckleshamblue60 added 07:49 - Jul 25 This has got to be one for the club too, surely? The club make a lot of money out of merch with the logo on - come on Mr Ashton, you could make a major contribution to something totally iconic pretty easily!
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carsey added 07:56 - Jul 25 Would be a nice thing for the players to donate to.
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Ryorry added 12:09 - Jul 27 Wonderful breed of horse, so sad that they're threatened, happy to donate, just wish I didn't live so far away & could visit the Centre in person.
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Sospiri added 12:23 - Jul 28 My lovely Uncle Dick used to take me to working horse demos when I was a kid. Beautiful horses, delightful man. I miss Suffolk a lot these days. New Zealand is a long way away!
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