Two international rugby stars found a cool way to add their weight to a charity appeal involving cinemagoers in Wrexham.
Adam Peek and Lloyd White, members of the Celtic Crusaders Rugby League squad, took little persuading as it was not only a very worthy cause but they got a free sample of their favourite ice-cream.
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.
This is the 33rd year they have made the gesture since the company was launched in 1979, and that meant that visitors to Wrexham’s Odeon Cinema, at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre, had an unexpected treat.
For three hours the ice cream stall within the complex made no charge for any cone including the popular Chunky Monkey Phishfood and Berry N’Ice flavours – but the customers were asked to show their appreciation by making a donation.
Each year the nationwide chain of Odeon cinemas adopts a different charity and this year’s good cause is the NSPCC, so in return for the free cones cinemagoers were asked to contribute to the charity.
“We did the same thing last year and the response was excellent,” said duty manager Dan Cheesbrough. “People don’t mind giving something when it’s for such a good cause.”
To promote the scheme and boost the appeal Welsh international stand-off Lloyd White and his clubmate, Australian prop Adam Peek, happily visited the Odeon.
“It’s a great idea and everyone knows what a good job the NSPCC does,” said Lloyd.
The appeal got the unqualified backing of Adam’s three-year-old son Cruze as he enthusiastically devoured a Chunky Monkey cone.
“We don’t need any excuse to have a Ben and Jerry’s cone, but knowing that it’s helping such a good cause makes it even more enjoyable and we’re happy to give it our backing,” said Adam, who has two other children, Charly, five, and Cash, who is 12-months old.
In December the Odeon teamed up with local digger manufacturers JCB, who shared the same adopted charity, to raise over £1,000.
Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley wanted to add his congratulations.
He said: “Well done everyone connected with the fundraising event and the generous Wrexham public for their support. When it comes to raising money for charity, we’ve got it licked!”
