Sheffield Steelers’ teddy bear toss raises more than £1,000 for Mansfield’s Fountaindale School

Hall-Fast owner Malcolm Hall and his wife Rachel were joined by Steelers commercial manager Mike O'Connor, pictured, to hand over the teddy bears to Fountaindale and to meet youngsters who will directly benefit from the fundraising

The Elite League champions raised £1,129 for the Fountaindale SEN School through auctioning off teddy bears the players had made as well as a teddy bear toss during the recent clash with the Cardiff Devils at the Motorpoint Arena.

Fans threw thousands of teddy bears onto the ice after the first goal in the encounter, which the Steelers won 2-1 to claim the league title.

It is the second year the charity spectacular has taken place for the school, which helps youngsters aged between three and 19 with physical and sensory needs.

The school has recently moved into a new, purpose-built facility at its existing Nottingham Road site, but relies heavily on fundraising to help it buy much-needed equipment.

Money raised from the auction and toss will be mainly used to towards the purchase of PA and lighting equipment for the school hall, as well as outdoor play equipment.

Its principal Mark Dengel said he was grateful for the continued support of the Steelers, which hosts the teddy bear toss with Mansfield-based North Notts community partners and club sponsor Hall-Fast Industrial Supplies.

More than £100,000 has been raised for the school in the past two years, with Hall-Fast contributing more than half of that total through various fundraising activities such as its annual charity ball.

“Normally in a year we’d raise £10,000 if we’re lucky,” said Mr Dengel. “Without the money that has been raised, I don’t know where we would have been. It’s way above what we expected.

“I think it’s wonderful the support we have had from the community, and from Hall-Fast and its sponsors. It’s also great that the Steelers have continued their support for a second year.”

Hall-Fast owner Malcolm Hall and his wife Rachel were joined by Steelers commercial manager Mike O’Connor, pictured, to hand over the teddy bears to Fountaindale and to meet youngsters who will directly benefit from the fundraising. The bears will be sold to help buy new equipment.

Said Mr Hall: “I really appreciate the continued support of the Sheffield Steelers organisation and their fabulous fans.

“Their ongoing support as one of our community partners really is very much appreciated.”

The third Hall-Fast charity ball takes place on 29th May at the John Fretwell Centre, Sookholme.