Footballing legend Peter Shilton rubbed shoulders with an up-and-coming sportswoman who is aiming to emulate his achievements to play in front of thousands of fans for the senior England team.

East Anglian Daily Times: Georgia Eaton-Collins and Peter Shilton flanked by representatives of the Ipswich Sporting Lunch Club sponsors. Picture: ROB HOWARTH/ANGLIA PICTURE AGENCYGeorgia Eaton-Collins and Peter Shilton flanked by representatives of the Ipswich Sporting Lunch Club sponsors. Picture: ROB HOWARTH/ANGLIA PICTURE AGENCY (Image: �Anglia Picture Agency)

The former Leicester City, Stoke, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Derby County and Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper was in Ipswich to help raise funding for Suffolk’s future sporting stars.

Shilton, who went on to be capped 125 times by England and played under the managerships of Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson, was guest of honour and speaker at the Ipswich Sporting Lunch Club, held at Wherstead Park, which was attended by nearly 300 people.

He said: “It’s wonderful to see the local business community coming together to raise money for up and coming sportsmen and women. It has been a real privilege to be here and meet representatives of the businesses behind the club. I know it’s making a real difference to the lives of young sportsmen and women across Suffolk.”

The Ipswich Sporting Lunch Club was set up in January 2015 to raise money for SportsAid, the national charity for sports people, to enable them to support talented up and coming sportsmen and women from the county.

SportsAid works with the governing bodies of 75 sporting disciplines, to ensure the right athletes get financial support and recognition at the right time.

The club is supported by seven businesses from the Ipswich area - Pound Gates Chartered Insurance Brokers, Ensors Chartered Accountants, Handelsbanken, Ellisons Solicitors, Concertus, StrategiQ and Picasso HR.

The event saw SportsAid present a grant to 17-year-old footballer Georgia Eaton-Collins, from Ipswich, who plays centre back for Arsenal Women.

She has also represented England at under 15, under 17 and now under 19 level although she is still only 17 years old. Despite her tender age she has already played against some of the powerhouses of world football including Germany, Italy, France, Mexico and Russia. Her current aim is selection for the England Women Under 19’s team taking part in the European Championships, in Switzerland, in July.

After receiving her grant Georgia, who is studying A-levels at Copleston High School, said: “I am so grateful to SportsAid for their support, it really does make a world of difference to me. And for my grant to be presented by Peter Shilton makes it even more special.”

The event is expected to have raised in excess of £10,000 for SportsAid with every penny going to support young sportsmen and women from Suffolk.

The next Ipswich Sporting Lunch Club event takes place on Friday, September 21, at Wherstead Park. The guest speaker will be Suffolk boxer and Olympic medallist Anthony Ogogo.