Have you ever wondered what happens to the money we raise from the Teddy Bear Toss and the Christmas skate – well, we give it away! Our Supporters Club is always trying to raise money to support the Club, but we’re also mindful of the need to extend our support to some of the charities who turn up on a Saturday night and ask for our support.

We know many people forget to buy a bear for the Teddy Bear Toss (in support of Barnardo’s) so for the last few years members of the Supporters Club have been buying and donating bears that can be resold on the night. We had over 70 bears donated last year and they all sold out very quickly, so if you donated or bought a bear, a belated thank you.

The Supporters Club also organized the Christmas Skate-with-the-Players at the end of December and we are grateful to everyone who made a donation to our bucket collection.

The money we raised at both events has now been donated to Julia’s House Hospice in Devizes and the local branch of Barnardo’s in Swindon. Both charities have received £100, and both are focused on children, a topic that resonates with many hockey fans all over the world. There are many deserving charities in our local area and we can’t always help everyone, but the generosity of hockey fans in Swindon ensures that we’ve been able to help someone local to us.

I was lucky enough to be shown around Julia’s House Hospice in Devizes a few weeks ago and witnessed all the amazing things the charity does for children with life-limiting, life-threatening or terminal conditions. I met with Claudia Hickin, one of the Community Fundraisers who confirmed that our £100 donation will pay for at least 3 hours of 121 time with a sibling worker for the brother or sister of a poorly child. It was an emotional and humbling visit, and a reminder why Swindon Wildcats and Better Link Centre have teamed up to support Julia’s House with their sponsorship of a Swindog for The Big Dog Art Trail this summer.

Thank you Wildcat fans, your support really does make a difference.

Paul Norbury

Chairman of Swindon Wildcats Supporters Club