Teesside’s premier ice hockey team has netted a donation from Darlington Building Society.
The Stockton High Street branch of Darlington Building Society has made a £240 donation from its community fund to local ice hockey team, Billingham Stars.
Billingham Stars’ semi-professional first team, formerly known as the Billingham Bombers, play in the National Ice Hockey League North Moralee Conference, where they currently sit just outside a playoff position.
The money will be used to purchase new equipment such as, pucks, sticks and pads. Every season the club spends around £50,000 on equipment and goes through 40-50 sticks.
Dawn Moore, Branch Manager at Darlington Building Society said: “Darlington Building Society is extremely pleased to be able to make this donation to the Billingham Stars.
“As part of our 160th anniversary celebrations the Society is aiming to help 160 local organisations, including sports clubs by using our resources, including the branch community funds.
“Supporting our local communities is incredibly important to us as an organisation and sport is such an important part of any community. Lifelong community links are forged on the field, or in this case, the rink.
“We wish Billingham Stars all the best for what’s left of the ice hockey season. It would be great to see them reach the play offs this year.”
Allen Flavell, General Manager of Billingham Stars, said: “We’re very grateful for the donation from Darlington Building Society’s community fund.
“The money will be used to buy equipment that will be used by all of our teams from the under-nines team right the way up to the first team. It is expensive to make sure that we have the best and most sturdy equipment and protection, but it’s crucial that our players are protected.”