A group of officers from Police Scotland will get their skates on next month in aid of an Edinburgh-based children’s charity.
Members of the Police Scotland Ice Hockey section will take to Murrayfield Ice Rink on Friday, February 13 at 5:15pm, to face-off against a team of UK Firefighters.
Aside from there being a hefty portion of professional pride at stake, the main aim of the event is to raise as much money as possible for The Sick Kids Friends Foundation, which provides support to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.
The contest follows a similar event held last year when the two sides met on the ice at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Clutha disaster and to recognise the efforts of everyone in the emergency services who were involved. More than £8,000 was raised from the day, which was divided between The Scottish Police Benevolent Fund and The Fire Fighters Charity.
Organiser of next month’s match, Detective Sergeant Martin McKay of Police Scotland and of the Scottish Police Ice Hockey section, is no stranger to the high impact sport having played for seven years at a professional level with the Fife Flyers, Sheffield Steelers and the Edinburgh Capitals.
He explained the reasons for staging the charity event saying: “The Sick Kids Foundation is a charity that means a lot to all of the players.
“The response I have had from the guys has been tremendous and they are travelling far and wide to take part.
“We all recognise the vital work carried out by The Sick Kids Friends Foundation and we want to help in any way we can.
“I am expecting an exciting physical game but more importantly it is about raising money for the Foundation.
“Hopefully we can replicate the success we enjoyed in Glasgow last year and get a big crowd along on the day to not only to spur on the players but to support what we are doing.”
Rachel McKenzie, Head of Voluntary Fundraising for The Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be the nominated charity for this fantastic fundraising event.
“We would like to say a huge thank you to organiser Martin McKay and wish both the Scottish Police Ice Hockey Team and the UK Firefighters all the best for the match.
“Whilst either team could take the trophy one thing is guaranteed, the monies raised from the event will make a huge difference to the 100,000 patients and families who visit Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children every year.
“Hopefully this will help to motivate the players and encourage the spectators to dig deep, give what they can and help us to continue to make Sick Kids better.”
The charity match will be played shortly before the professional players of the Edinburgh Capitals take to the ice in their league match against the Cardiff Devils.
Those with a ticket for this match will also be granted free admittance to the charity game.
Scott Neil from the Edinburgh Capitals is lending his full support. He said: “The Edinburgh Capitals are delighted to support the charity game between Police Scotland and UK Firefighters.
“The Capitals are donating £1 from every ticket sold on the evening towards the Sick Kids Friends Foundation in support of the event. There will be a chance to see two great games of hockey and help raise money for a worthy cause.”
Tickets for the charity match and the Edinburgh Capitals are priced from £8 to £40 and available to buy at www.edinburghcapitals.ticketsource.co.uk
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
