It is the largest single donation from a private individual received by the food bank, since its foundation. The food bank is run by group of volunteers who help all ages, from pre-birth through adulthood and into old age.
Kevin works in Ipswich and lives in Felixstowe. He grew up on a council estate in London with his Irish immigrant parents and is the founder and CEO of PLMR, one of the country’s leading public relations agencies with offices around the United Kingdom, including in Ipswich. Over the last decade he is also a serial investor in a number of other enterprises.
Kevin met volunteers and food bank users to announce his donation and thanked the team for their tireless support for local families.
Kevin Craig commented:
“This week I saw again the compassion, professionalism and kindness that defines Ipswich Family Bank. For many local families and individuals experiencing financial hardship, the Ipswich Family Bank can help with the struggle to cope.
“The volunteers meet people at their hardest moments and their work is such a valuable resource for the local community. I had a humble upbringing, had free school meals, and I remember all too well how hard my mum and dad worked to put food on the table for me and my sister. When times are tough, it is so reassuring to know that a resource like the Ipswich Family Bank is available and able to help.
“I’ve been lucky to have a successful business career. After Councillor Lucy Trenchard brought me to visit Michelle Symonds and the amazing team of volunteers, not only was I deeply moved by what they did, I knew I wanted to find ways to support them. A donation now feels like the right way to help sustain the vital, life-changing work of the Ipswich Family Bank. It feels so good to be able to help. I also can’t wait to start volunteering there every month, which I start in July 2025. Over the coming months and years, I’ll be making other significant donations to local causes that have really touched me.”
Michelle Symonds commented:
“Kevin’s support arrived at exactly the right time. We are blown away by the generosity.
“I started an Ipswich baby bank branch under Suffolk Babybank in 2020 and thing have grown from there. I am proud of be part of a team of people that have helped get us to this point. Claire Peck, Morrisons Ipswich and all the other supermarkets, Margaret Fortune, Tracey Dockery, and Angela Stroud have all made such a difference.
“When we met Kevin during the election campaign last year, we could see how moved he was about what we were doing. He made us feel so proud about the work we do. It is great that he has kept in touch with us and the donation is so important to ensuring we can continue to support the community.
Kevin, who carried the Olympic torch through London in 2012, in recognition of his charity work, founded communications firm PLMR in 2006 and has a history of involvement in several social‑impact ventures. Causes he has previously supported or raised funds for locally also include Felixstowe Coastal Patrol and East Anglia Children’s Hospices.
