A prolific Suffolk fundraiser, who has amassed £400,000 for good causes is retiring after nearly four decades. 

Ian Heeley, from Felixstowe, has organised discos, sponsored swims and a 12 hour marathon around Northgate High School in Ipswich, all in aid of charity.

The 74-year-old, who received an MBE for his work, has also arranged for people to take part in daredevil stunts, such as jumping out of planes, for good causes.

However, he said: "Well I used to organise discos and things like that and people used to say 'why don't you do some more?' but when you do it, you are on edge all the time in case something happens."

To begin with, between 1986 and 1988, he teamed up with a fundraising partner, but after 1988 he went out on his own and helped to collect £13,000 for an incubator for children.

Indeed, much of his fundraising work centred on helping children with brain damage, although he has also raised money for the fight against dementia and Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder.

Ian Heeley with the MBE he received in 1994Ian Heeley with the MBE he received in 1994 (Image: Owen Hines) Additionally, he teamed up with the Suffolk Accident Rescue Service (SARS), which provides emergency medical help at the scene of accidents, by raising money for a set of breathing tubes for the SARS service.

Mr Heeley received his MBE in 1994 and has worked at the docks as well as helping out on Brantham ward at Ipswich hospital three days a week.

He was also one of the leading lights in the creation of the memorial to the 41 victims of the Felixstowe flood in 1953, situated in Langer Road and has appeared in panto at the town's Spa Pavilion theatre.