Vipers link up with Macmillan in charity drive

This coming season, the Winn Solicitors Newcastle Vipers will be supporting two charitable causes.

In addition to their own Vipers Community Foundation, which provides education to school children and encourages participation in the sport, the club will also be working with Macmillan Cancer Support.

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support. Vipers' Chairman Paddy O'Connor lost his mother to cancer, so he knows at first hand the fantastic work that Macmillan do.

"They say that one in three people will get cancer, so it is something which has affected or will affect every family in the North East," said O'Connor.

"I know from my own experience about Macmillan and the help and support that they give not only to the person with the illness but also their family.

"When the opportunity came to make Macmillan our official charity, it was an easy decision to make."

The Vipers will hold several events throughout the season where funds will be raised for their two charities. Macmillan will also be in attendance at the second home League game, vs Belfast on September 25th.

Macmillan's flagship fundraising event is The World's Biggest Coffee Morning, which takes place on Friday September 24th. Last year 750 events were held across Tyneside and Northumberland raising £183,000.

Newcastle Vipers will be holding their own coffee morning at Whitley Bay Ice Rink that day, between 9am and 11am. The players will be on the ice training between 9am and 10am, so fans can come along, have a coffee, a cake and a chat while watching their team in action.

After training the players will also join in so fans can get photos, autographs or just share a coffee with the squad, while raising funds for a worthwhile cause at the same time.

At the end of September, Wednesday 29th, the Vipers are holding their annual Charity Golf Day at Ramside Hall in aid of VCF and Macmillan Cancer Support, with places still available for teams at a cost of £295 per team. Details of the auction and raffle items will be confirmed in the next week.

For more information on Macmillan Cancer Support and The World's Biggest Coffee Morning, go to www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee or call 0845 070 1315.