Dame Esther Rantzen, the well-known journalist, TV presenter and Childline founder has launched this year’s charity partnership between the NSPCC Cymru / Wales and Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland, the city’s principal festive attraction (cardiffswinterwonderland.com).
Dame Esther was visiting NSPCC projects in Wales and met with Winter Wonderland operator Norman George Sayers at their local HQ to discuss fundraising and NSPCC events at the rink. Dame Esther said: “Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland is going to be raising money for the NSPCC and Childline, which I think is a wonderful idea at Christmas when people are thinking of children. We hope that every child is happy and loved, but we know that not every child is.”
Now President of Childline, the invaluable service addressing mental health issues in young people, Dame Esther is best known for presenting the hit BBC television series That’s Life! for 21 years up to 1994. In 2012 she set up The Silver Line, designed to combat loneliness.
After record numbers of skaters took to the ice last year, the 2017 season is now on sale with a larger rink and a number of themed nights planned. More than 60,000 people got their skates on last year when the Admiral Ice Rink went undercover for the first time, which resulted in no sessions being lost to poor weather, and an even more magical experience under the sparkling, starlit roof.
This year Cardiff becomes the first outdoor rink in the UK to receive Access Accreditation, allowing even more wheelchair users onto the ice. The rink opens on November 9 and over the following eight and a half weeks more than a quarter of a million people are anticipated on site, attracted by the Giant Wheel and other fairground rides, plus all the food and drink on offer in the authentic Alpine Village and the cosy, atmospheric Bier Keller.
Nigel Impey, Head of Fundraising Wales said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Sayers Amusements for their commitment to help the NSPCC in our fight for every childhood. Every penny raised will make a massive difference to the work that we do as a charity in Wales. It will go towards our Light Up Christmas for Children Campaign, to help us raise funds for Childline and give more children a brighter Christmas.”
Norman Sayers, operator of Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland said: “We always partner with a local charity to ensure that there are wider benefits to the community at this time of year. It was an honour to meet Dame Esther, and we hope to raise significant funds to help the invaluable work of the NSPCC and Childline.”
This year the ice rink operator, 11th Hour has extended the special wheelchair accessible sessions, introduced last year in response to demand from wheelchair users for a more thrilling experience on the ice. Music will be played at low level, lighting will be static, and the capacity of the rink will be reduced to allow those who may need additional support to enjoy the facility. There is also a disabled viewing platform and enhanced signage.
Tickets: Cardiffswinterwonderland.com and TicketSource on 0333 666 3366. Contact us on [email protected] for ticketing / school booking enquiries.
#cardiffiswinterwonderland
Childline 0800 1111
Childline.org.uk
