COVENTRY’S Skydome Arena will play host to a charity ice hockey fixture this weekend (June 18) to raise funds for Cardiac Risk in the Young.
With a scheduled face-off of 4.45pm planned, the game provides the perfect opportunity for all fans of the sport to get their mid-summer ‘hockey fix’ with all proceeds from the event being donated to the charity.
This year marks the second fundraising fixture, which is named in memory of Bethany-Shannon – who tragically lost her life in 2011.
The Bethany Legacy was founded in 2011 by Simon Preston and his family, following the devastating and untimely death of his three-year-old daughter.
Since she passed away, Simon has worked tirelessly fundraising for various charities as a way to distract himself from the great loss.
Starting with a memorial game between two sides of ice hockey players from across the country, the event will be followed by a seven team ice hockey tournament with a mix of professional and recreational teams.
Every week in the UK, at least 12 young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions.
Since its formation in 1995, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) has been working to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death.
CRY supports young people diagnosed with potentially life-threatening cardiac conditions and offers bereavement support to families affected by the condition.
Speaking on behalf of the Simon and the Bethany Legacy, Claire Wigley said: “This is a big event for the community and surrounding areas.
“We’ll be raising funds for what is a great charity and has been for the last five years.
“The Bethany-Shannon Memorial Game was created last year to mark the 5th anniversary of Bethany’s death – in its first year we raised £2,357 for Cardiac Risk in the Young, hopefully we can top that this year.”
For further information, visit www.hockeyhelpshearts.com – tickets for the game can be purchased for just £3.