BASINGSTOKE, U.K. – Planet Ice in Basingstoke plays host to an eagerly awaited charity ice hockey game and the first ever ‘Skate for Life.’ The event is the GMB UK Forum All-Star Game in aid of Breast Cancer Care and the Dreams Come True Foundation, and will be held over the weekend of July 25 and 26. The event is the brainchild of ice hockey pals David Grant and Gareth Hubback, who will both be playing over the weekend. I will also be playing in the event myself, after being a spectator last year, I was keen to take part this year and help out two very worthy causes. I spoke to the co-organiser of the event, David Grant, and I asked him his reasons for setting up the event. “The UK Forum All-Stars Weekend was set up to allow fans of Ice Hockey to use their love of the sport to a great use to benefit a charity. Other weekends were successful, but not necessary about Hockey and raising money for charity, the All-Star weekend aims to be about just that.” Grant said. Last years event, held at Ice Sheffield, was the first ever The UK Forum All-Stars game, it was a huge success and helped to raise £3,600 for the Dreams Come True Foundation. It not only raised money for a fantastic charity, but also gave ice hockey fans throughout the UK the opportunity to make great friendships, and share stories about their supported teams over a pint or two. This year’s event will also see the addition of Breast Cancer Care as a main charity. David Grant spoke of his decision to choose the two charities. “We chose Breast Cancer Care and Dreams Come True as they are two fantastic charities to be involved with. We supported Dreams Come True last year after seeing the hard work that they put in, with the little resources that they have. We felt that they deserved our support,” “Breast Cancer, and cancer in general is something that everyone has been touched by. We also felt that Breast Cancer in particular would make more of a statement, hence why the Breast Cancer Care team will be wearing a fetching pink jersey for the game.” Grant said GMB are a name known to ice hockey fans in the UK, as they are the main title sponsor of the Nottingham Panthers in the Elite League. I asked David Grant about the importance of having such a major sponsor involved. “Their input was fantastic, and has been again this year. The people involved in the GMB are good people who love their hockey, and have again been great to support Basingstoke 2009,” “Their input allowed us to ensure a great donation to last years charity, and it will do the same again this year.” Grant and Hubback are keen to ensure that this year’s event will be bigger and better, and will hopefully raise more money for two fantastic charities. This years event will be more than just the on ice action, as David Grant explains, “Where we failed last year, was to ensure that everyone enjoyed themselves both on and off the ice. This we believe that we have covered all angles. As we are not charging anyone to come into the event, we have designed a ‘super-six’ ticket,” “These can be purchased at the rink on the day. We have a number of raffles and competitions that you can take part in, and this super-six ticket allows you to have a go on each raffle/competition (each entry into the raffle/competition to the value of £1). “Not only that, but we have a quiz on the Friday night which we believe will be a cracking start to the weekend. Saturday night includes a Karaoke (which just for some of the terrible singers, will be worth coming along to) and on the Sunday we have Skate for Life. Overall, I think we have a great balance over the weekend this year.” Grant said The event has been hugely popular with fans wanting to take part, and lace up their skates, “Within four days of announcing the event, we had four solid lines of forwards and defence for each team,” Grant explained. The fans and players are travelling from as far as Newcastle, Cardiff, London, and even Belfast. The core majority of participants are supporters of fierce rivals the Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers. The two captains of the event are no strangers to ice hockey fans in the UK. Alan Armour and Scott Gough have almost 30 years of professional experience between them, including playing in the highly competitive EPL, and the now defunct BHL. I spoke with Alan Armour about the prospect of playing in the event. “I am really excited to have been asked back to Captain the ‘Breast Cancer Care’ team in this year’s UK Forums All Star game.I am also hopeful and quietly confident that we can successfully defend the title too. That said, this weekend is much more about raising money for charity and having a good time along the way than it is about who wins or loses.” Armour said Armour continued, “With me and Scott (Gough) captaining teams it usually means a high level of mainly good natured banter between us and more than a few cheeky shandies during the course of the weekend, its also an opportunity to meet up with good friends from all over the country made through these types of events over the past few summers.” Good friend and former teammate Scott Gough will captain the Dreams Come True team. I spoke with Scott about his motivation to play, and thoughts for the weekend. “I am ecstatic about being asked again this year to Captain the Dreams Come True team 2009-2010. It was a great event last year and contributes to fantastic charities, my wifes Niece was diagnosed with cancer and sadly passed away at the tender age of 7, and this was three years ago now,” Gough said “I cant start to tell you how this was for the families and friends so for me this is a dream come true to help in any way possible this wonderful bunch of people who organise these events and go the extra mile where possible.” Gough added. “In terms of the hockey I can wait to meet up with all the people involved this year and will be looking forward to the chance to bring the trophy to the Dreams Come True skaters and tying things up with my friend and title holder Mr Armour. We may also find the time to have a few shandies and light refreshments along the way so please be prepared for some fun and games over the weekend, dont forget your resolve and paracetamol.” Gough said. Having two highly experienced players, as captains on board will hopefully add to the great experience that the event is sure to be. David Grant spoke of the two captains. “Both Arms (Alan Armour) and Old Man Gougher (Scott Gough) love charity weekends, and buy into them with the right spirit. They know they have played at a better standard than most, but do not show off to those who are not as good. They also have worked in the background doing the programmes and some of the artwork towards the weekend so they have contributed towards the potential success of the weekend.” Grant continued, “They are great characters in the dressing room, as well as after the event, they seem to enjoy keeping the spirit going throughout the whole weekend which does provide for some comical highlights.” The weekend is sure to be a great experience to play in and to spectate. I urge all hockey fans to come and get their summer hockey fix, and to socialise with fellow fans, as well as helping two great charities. For more information on the event visit www.ukfallstars.co.uk Contact the author at Scot.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com
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