Cool idea boosts children’s charity

Big hearted cinema staff are cool customers when it comes to raising money for a children’s charity.

Staff at the Odeon at the Eagles Meadow in Wrexham will be handing out free ice cream cones between 6pm and 9pm on Tuesday, April 3.

However, customers will be asked for a charitable donation with all funds going to support the work of the NSPCC.

Each year Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, founders of the American-based ice-cream giants Ben and Jerry’s say “thank you” to their loyal customers by giving away free cones on one particular day.

They have made the annual gesture since the company was launched in 1979, and  visitors so visitors to the Odeon can enjoy an unexpected treat.

Cinema Deputy Manager Kenny Kempster said: “It’s a great idea and customers will be served one scoop of their favourite flavour in return for a donation toward the work of the NSPCC.

“There is nothing to stop customers having as many scoops as they want but they will only be served one at a time. We hope to do even better than we did last year and raise as much money for the NSPCC as we can.

“All Odeon cinemas in the UK will be raising funds for the NSPCC during Ben and Jerry’s Free Cone Day.

“The response last year was excellent. People don’t mind giving something when it’s for such a good cause.”

Staff members Danielle Powell, 20, from Acrefair, and Andrew Fisher, 21, from Wrexham, couldn’t wait for the Free Cone Day before tucking in and giving their favourite flavours a good licking.

Danielle, who has worked at the cinema for three years, hopes customers will enter into the spirit of the day by donating as much as they can to such a good cause.

She said: “Last year was quite good but we want to raise a lot more this year. We will be screening the Easter blockbuster Pirates which promises to be a great children’s animated film.

“I am sure children would just love a Ben and Jerry’s free cone to help make their cinema trip even more exciting while parents can help us raise as much as possible for such a worthwhile cause.”

Andrew added: “I hope as many of our customers as possible grab a Ben and Jerry’s ice cream cone and help us top our target of hundreds of thousands nationwide for a really worthwhile and important charity.

“I think it is brilliant that Ben and Jerry’s and the Odeon have teamed up to raise funds for the NSPCC.”

Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley is an ice cream fan and is looking forward to the fund-raiser.

He said: “I think this is a brilliant fund-raising idea. When it comes to raising money for charity, staff at the Odeon are cool customers!”

Photograph: Danielle Powell and Andrew Fisher, staff at the Odeon in Eagles Meadow, Wrexham, with the Ben and Jerry ice cream
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