Suffolk’s 1st Ever “Cancer Awareness” & Family Fun Day to Take Place in April – And YOU Can Be Part of this Legacy!
Less Than One Month to Go – Community Urged to Grab Tickets Before They Sell Out!
Something extraordinary is coming to Suffolk – and everyone is invited. On Saturday 11 April 2026, thousands of people will gather at Trinity Park for a powerful, joyful and deeply meaningful day as the community attempts an officially recognised Guinness World Records world record.
The mission? To create the largest human cancer awareness ribbon ever formed.
Organised by the founders of Hope to Connect, two Suffolk -based women aims to bring together over 8,264 people to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in a spectacular cancer awareness. Why over 8,264 people? Because that’s the current record achieved by a princess in Saudi Arabia in 2015. If successful, Suffolk will break the current record, creating a moment that will be remembered for years to come.
And everyone who takes part will receive a Guinness World Record participant certificate – proof they helped make history and the perfect keepsake for you, your family and friends.
The event will take place on Saturday 11th April 2026, from 11am-7pm at Trinity Park, Ipswich, Suffolk, which will include a wonderful day with a food village, live entertainment, craft market, Motorbike Show & Shine, Vintage Car Show, 4×4 ride, funfair and to top it off, a live showing of the Ipswich Vs Norwich game on a big outdoor screen! There is literally something for everyone!
Turning Heartbreak Into Hope
Behind the event are two Suffolk women who know the reality of cancer all too well, from both sides of the coin.
Emma Adams, was diagnosed with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer in 2023. Mandeep Birdy, like too many, has lost some of her dearest to cancer or supported friends through their diagnosis. Together, the friends and business partners founded Hope to Connect, to create something powerful for the entire community.
For Emma, the disease has since progressed to stage 4 and spread to her brain, lungs, liver, bones, skin and scalp. Emma recently completed full brain radiotherapy and met with doctors today to decide on the next stage of chemotherapy, with the future currently uncertain. Despite facing her own advanced cancer diagnosis, she remains determined to bring the community together for the Guinness World Records attempt on 11 April, raising vital funds for cancer charities while helping to build the Hope To Connect platform to support and connect people living with cancer. Emma is also hoping to reach two deeply personal milestones this April helping Suffolk achieve the world record and celebrating her daughter’s 18th birthday.
Emma said:
“Hope To Connect was inspired by my own experience of cancer and the loneliness that can come with it. The app is about helping people with cancer find friendship, comfort and support by connecting with others who truly understand what they are going through. No one should have to face cancer feeling alone. If I can help bring thousands of people together to break a world record while building something that supports others through cancer, that would mean everything to me and tick off one of the final things on my cancer bucket list.”
Mandeep adds:
“There is a very specific ache when you watch a loved one battle something like cancer. You ache for them, you ache with them, and you ache because you don’t know how to console them or alleviate their pain.
Whether strangers or friends, it’s a powerful thing to stand amongst others going through a cancer journey; sons, mothers, daughters, uncles, grandmothers, friends, colleagues entire communities who are supporting loved ones or fighting a diagnosis of their own. That connection can be quite magical.
While this Guinness World Records attempt will be a way to honour, celebrate and remember each of those touched by cancer, the Hope to Connect app we’re building will provide that community support 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week. Everything we do embodies connection, hope and the mission to ensure that no one with cancer ever has to face it alone.”
A Huge Family Day Out
While the world record attempt will take place at 3pm sharp, the event itself will be a full day of celebration from 11am–7pm, packed with fun, entertainment and plenty to keep the whole family smiling.
- Visitors can expect:
- Live music and entertainment throughout the day
- A fantastic food and drink village to fuel the fun
- Funfair rides, inflatables and family activities
- Exciting 4×4 ride experiences
- Vintage cars and motorbikes
Craft stalls and local market traders - A giant outdoor screen showing the Ipswich vs Norwich Derby
- An on-site counsellor offering a quiet space and a listening ear for anyone navigating the emotional impact of cancer.
- Raffle with wonderful prizes from local businesses.
- Sign “Hope”, the bright pink smart car and contribute to the Hope to Connect crowdfunder.
Organisers say the goal is simple: create a day filled with connection, laughter, remembrance and hope.
Get tickets at: Buy tickets – Hope to Connect World Record Attempt 2026 – Trinity Park, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich
Who wrote this about Ipswich?
Sam Sherman
Sam is a Co-Founder of Ipswich.love. Passionate about Ipswich, Sam looks to see how we might jointly reverse some of the recent negativity and bring some deserved positivity back to our beloved Town.
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