CHARITIES are to benefit from an ice rink being set up in Colchester.

The organiser of Winter Wonderland and Ice Rink Colchester has announced it will host a charity night.

St Helena Hospice and the Robin Cancer Trust will take over the rink for the night on December 1.

Two other charities will also be chosen to take part in the event.

The Robin Cancer Trust is the UK's only dedicated germ cell cancer awareness charity. It was set up in 2012 following the death of Robin Freeman who was just 24.

Robin's brother, Toby, who is chief executive of the charity, said most of its allocated tickets would be given to volunteers as a thank you to them for giving so much of their time to support the trust.

The hospice is offering free tickets to the first 150 people who sign up to their reindeer dash event which will be held in Castle Park on December 13.

Angie Diggens, events fundraiser at the hospice, said: “Christmas is a special time for everyone and we are especially grateful Reflective Ice has chosen to support us at this time.

"We’re really looking forward to working together and hope to bring lots of Christmas cheer to the community."

Ben Payne of Reflective Ice Ltd, said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to support this exciting event.

"Not only will it raise awareness and much needed funds for St Helena Hospice and the Robin Cancer Trust, it will also be a fun event for the community.”

The rink is one of a number of Christmas events being laid on in a bid to drive footfall to the town centre.

The rink is open to the public from November 27 to January 3.

For more information, go to www.colchestericerink.co.uk.

For more on the Winter Wonderland, click here