FPUA (Felixstowe Port Users’ Association) and BIFA (British International Freight Association) have announced Fargo and MCP as the joint headline sponsors of this year’s sold-out Christmas Charity Ball, which will be held on Friday, 5th December at The Hangar, Milsoms Kesgrave Hall.

A firm favourite on the regional logistics calendar, the annual gathering brings together professionals from the freight, port, and supply chain sectors for an evening of celebration, networking, and fundraising. This year’s ball will once again raise vital funds for two important local charities – Brave Futures, which supports children and young people affected by sexual abuse, and EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices), ensuring the best possible quality of life and making every moment count for children and families across the region.

As joint headline sponsors, Fargo and MCP showcase their dedication to building meaningful partnerships across the logistics sector while also supporting the event’s broader charitable fundraising initiatives.

Steve Collins, Managing Director at Fargo, said: “We’re pleased to support this year’s Christmas Charity Ball, especially alongside MCP, who share our commitment to strengthening connections within the regional logistics community. It’s a great chance for our industry to come together and make a positive impact for two charities that provide exceptional support for families across our region.”

Steve Lamb, General Manager at MCP, stated: “We’re proud to partner with Fargo as joint headline sponsors. The event not only celebrates the strength and spirit of our industry but also helps raise much-needed funds for two organisations delivering vital support to vulnerable children, young people and families throughout East Anglia.”

Although the ball is now fully booked, fundraising efforts continue. Companies across the ports and logistics community have already pledged generous raffle prizes. Businesses, whether attending the event or not, are warmly encouraged to donate raffle prizes in support of the charities. To arrange a donation or collection, please contact info@fpua.co.uk.

Jason Flower, Chair of the FPUA, added: “The support for this year’s Christmas Charity Ball has been fantastic, and we’re immensely grateful to Fargo and MCP for stepping up as our joint headline sponsors.

“Their support, together with the generosity of all those donating raffle prizes and funds, enables us to make a real difference to Brave Futures and EACH at a time when their services are needed more than ever.”

With a full house, strong support from the business community, and a clear focus on giving back, the 2025 FPUA & BIFA Christmas Charity Ball is poised to be a highlight in the regional logistics calendar.

If you prefer to make a cash donation, it would also be gratefully received:
Felixstowe Port Users Association Ltd, Sort code: 20-98-07, Account number: 30958344.

Friday, 11th July marked a landmark occasion for Felixstowe as the town hosted its inaugural Disability Pride – a vibrant, heartwarming festival focused on promoting inclusion, visibility, and unity within the disabled community.

Local business A&S Recruitment played an integral role in the event’s success, proudly sponsoring and operating the water station to keep attendees refreshed throughout the day.

A day of glorious sunshine, more than 200 people turned out to take part in the festivities. The colourful parade began at the SeaYou Café and made its way along the promenade to the Felixstowe Leisure Centre, drawing applause, encouragement, and smiles from residents and visitors alike.

The event was the vision of Ian Bell and his wife, Glynis, whose personal story sparked the idea of creating a dedicated space for disability pride in Suffolk. Ian says:

“Felixstowe Disability Pride began as an idea born from personal experience. When my wife Glynis suffered a life-changing stroke, we both saw firsthand the challenges and resilience within the disabled community. Disability Pride isn’t about sympathy—it’s about visibility, respect, and genuine inclusion. It’s about giving disabled people the space to be celebrated, not overlooked.

“A&S Recruitment’s support of the day wonderfully highlighted this company’s commitment to championing equality and community engagement.”

Co-founder Clare Lucas brought energy and creativity to the initiative, helping to shape a genuinely inclusive and joyful day. Clare reflected on the event:

“When Ian and Glynis invited me to join them in creating an inclusive event in Felixstowe for the disabled community, I jumped at the chance. A fantastic opportunity to raise vital funds for local charity Activ Lives, where I proudly serve as a trustee, seeing the samba band lead the procession and a sea of people wearing the T-shirts I designed was a moment I’ll treasure forever. Out of all the events I’ve co-created, this is by far my favourite.”

The organisers would also like to extend a special thank you to A&S Recruitment’s Becky Crevald, who played a key role in securing support from local businesses and demonstrating how community collaboration can bring powerful visions to life.

Ian adds: “Felixstowe Disability Pride was more than a first – it was a statement. A declaration of unity, resilience, and the importance of making space for everyone. With support from dedicated organisations like A&S Recruitment, the event stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when community values come together in action.”

May was a month of remarkable generosity across the Felixstowe port community, with two major charity events raising over £36,000 for local and national causes.

The Rotary Club of Felixstowe hosted its 10th Annual Charity Boxing Dinner at Brackenbury Sports Centre on 16 May, raising an incredible £23,730 in a single night. With 50% of the proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Support, the remainder will support other deserving causes in the local community, continuing the Club’s tradition of broad-based giving.

Ole Krebbs, organiser of the Rotary event, said:
“This evening is about much more than boxing. Yes, we raise vital funds, but we also shine a light on the role boxing plays in developing young people’s confidence, discipline and resilience. We’re grateful to all our sponsors, guests and volunteers who made the evening such a success.”

The evening featured a stellar line-up of amateur bouts, supported by Harwich Boxing Club, with guests enjoying catering by Jamie Lee Smith Catering and drinks by Prestige Bars. The event has now raised over £174,000 since it began.

Meanwhile, the Felixstowe Port Users’ Association (FPUA) hosted its 6th Annual Golf Day, raising an impressive £13,000 for charity. Beneficiaries of this year’s event include Felixstowe Park Run, Trimley St Mary Primary School, Old Felixstowe Nursery, Little Princess Trust, 4YP (For Young People), and Felixstowe Disability Pride Event. Held at Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club, the event drew wide support from across the port and logistics sector.

Jason Flower, Chair of FPUA, commented:
“The Golf Day is always a highlight in the port calendar – not just for the fundraising, but for bringing people together in a spirit of fun and collaboration. We’re thrilled to have raised £13,000, and I’d like to thank everyone who contributed, sponsored, or turned up to support. A special thank you goes to our primary sponsor, Freightliner, and to Maritime and Grange Shipping for their fantastic support. I’d also like to thank everyone involved in organising the event, especially Ian Taylor, whose hard work behind the scenes helped make the day such a success.”

Over the last six years, the FPUA Golf Day has raised more than £54,500, making a lasting impact on local charities and good causes. With funds going directly to a wide range of community initiatives supporting health, education, inclusion, and wellbeing, both events are a powerful reminder of the compassion and community spirit that thrives in and around the Port of Felixstowe.

George Baker Shipping is proud to announce that it has reached a significant milestone, raising a total of £50,000 for St Elizabeth Hospice since the partnership began at the end of 2019. The final push to achieve this target was an internal company draw this summer, offering employees a chance to win a framed, signed Ipswich Town Football Club (ITFC) shirt. The draw winner was selected at random by John Dugmore, CEO of The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, during his recent visit to George Baker Shipping.

Their first event was a week-long fundraiser in the run-up to Christmas 2019, followed by participation in Ridefest in early 2020, just before the pandemic struck and led to the cancellation of many planned events. Despite these challenges, George Baker Shipping continued to support the hospice through various initiatives and sponsorships, including the Big Hoot art trail in 2022.

Over the past three years, George Baker Shipping has been a dedicated sponsor and volunteer at the annual Suffolk Remembers event and the headline sponsor of the ‘Be A Star’ Christmas campaign, which includes the well-known Christmas Day Dip. In addition to participating in events organised by St Elizabeth Hospice, George Baker Shipping has also held several internal events, including a table tennis tournament and a charity football match at Woodbridge Town Football Club.

“Cementing Charity and Community at the Heart of Our Values” – David Baker, Managing Director, George Baker Shipping.

Since announcing St Elizabeth Hospice as its official charity partner in 2019, George Baker Shipping has been dedicated to making a tangible difference. The £50,000 raised will contribute to the hospice’s ongoing mission to provide vital care and support to patients and their families across East & Mid Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

“We are thrilled to have reached this milestone,” said David Baker, Managing Director at George Baker Shipping. “Supporting St Elizabeth Hospice is more than just a partnership for us; it is a reflection of our company’s values and our commitment to making a positive impact on the community. We look forward to continuing our support and finding new ways to give back.”

In addition to the fundraising efforts, George Baker Shipping also honours the memory of their late colleague, Chris Coom, who passed away in 2021 and spent his final days at St Elizabeth Hospice. A rock dedicated to Chris is placed on the hospice’s Memory Tree.

L-R Liz Baldwin, St Elizabeth Hospice and Sharon Binns, George Baker Shipping

Porttalk is sharing the story of Rob Armstrong (58), a man battling an extremely rare form of cancer—so rare that it hasn’t even been named yet. Despite the best efforts of his medical team, the source of Rob’s cancer remains undiscovered.

Rob has been a dedicated member of the local shipping and logistics community, working for Svitzer on the tugs for 24 years. Given his long-standing ties to the community, the Armstrong family (Rob, Alison, Loti, and Stephen) is appealing to the generosity of our local supporters to help raise essential funds for a new intravenous treatment called trastuzumab deruxtecan, which has shown promise in cases similar to Rob’s.

Each round of treatment costs £ 14,000, and the hope is that it will help reduce the size of the tumour, lessen the constant fatigue, and improve mobility on his right side. Rob’s daughter, Loti, shares Rob’s and the family’s journey:

“In January 2023, Dad hurt his back helping a friend and (for the first time in 23 years) had to take some time off work to heal. During this rest period, Dad started to experience pins and needles on the right side of his body. Three weeks later, after several doctors’ visits and some scans, we found out his back pain was caused by a very large tumour growing in the middle of his brain, pressing on his nerves and receptors.

“Each week after that, he exhibited new symptoms at an alarming pace, losing vision, sensation and motor function. His infamously sharp wit softened, and he grew fatigued quickly.”

The only treatment he has received has been gamma knife radiation therapy in June 2023- a procedure typically done once but was administered to my Dad five times.

“I’ve mourned Dad’s eyesight, his mobility, his strength and our future.

Despite all this, thankfully, I have yet to mourn his hope.

“The drug that can possibly help Dad has now gone from trials to being authorised. Dad will need at least four treatments, one every three weeks, at a cost of £14,000 per treatment. My brother is generously paying for the first, and we need to fundraise for the others. It would be truly appreciated if you could help in any way possible. Thank you.”

You can support Rob by clicking here. Whether large or small, any contribution will make a difference. Please consider giving what you can and sharing Rob’s story with others you may also be able to help. Together, we can make an impact and show the Armstrong family they are not alone in this journey. The Armstrong family would like to thank everyone for their generosity and kindness.

With 21 teams and 84 players taking to the green at the Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club on Friday, 10th May, the Felixstowe Port Users’ Association hosted another sensational Charity Golf Day.

Jason Flower, chair of the FPUA, reflects on the event: “Our charity golf days continue to surpass expectations. With the decision to distribute the funds raised equally among six deserving charities, we are thrilled to announce that a staggering £9,000 was raised, making a significant difference in their noble causes.”

The six recipients of the donations are Trimley St Martin Primary School, Felixstowe Carnival, Great Ormond St Hospital – Fred from Felixstowe, Stowmarket ASD Saturday Club, Felixstowe Seafarers and the Pushchair Pit Stop.

“Offering a heartfelt thank you to our main sponsors, Pentalver, MultiFreight and Grange Shipping, the FPUA would also like to extend its appreciation to every company and individual whose efforts ensure the smooth running of this extraordinary day in Felixstowe’s logistic calendar.”

Congratulations also go to the day’s worthy sporting winners:

1st Team                                                                            3PL

2nd Team                                                                          Maritime Transport

3rd Team                                                                           Schallenberg

Individual                                                                          Justin Winn / Schallenberg

Nearest the Pin on the 12th                                          Colin Hitchen / Stobart Ports

Nearest the Pin in 2 on the 3rd                                     Piers Kilfoyle / Macintyre Transport

Looking ahead, Jason Flower adds: “With thoughts already turning to next year’s event, we are thrilled to announce that our sixth charity golf day will be held on Friday, 23rd May 2025, so be sure to save the date.”