Bereaved Norfolk children will be given an early Christmas gift to help bring a smile to their faces at a difficult time of year.
The Norwich Evening News and the Eastern Daily Press will be bringing an ice rink to Castle Mall Gardens next week and have invited Little Plumstead-based charity Nelson's Journey for an evening of skating.
For many youngsters, the festive season is a painful time when they are reminded of the loved one they have lost.
So Archant, this newspaper's publisher, want to give them something to look forward to and have donated 30 tickets to the charity.
Simon Wright, chief executive at Nelson's Journey, said: 'We know that 470 children and young people in Norfolk will have experienced the death of a parent or sibling in 2015.
'We are extremely grateful to Archant for inviting some of those we work with to enjoy the ice skating this Christmas.
'This is a difficult time of year for many children and young people, it could be the first Christmas without their special person and seeing
that empty space at the dinner
table will be particularly hard. 'We are sure this Christmas gift
from Archant will help bring
back smiles to some of these children.'
The phone lines have been busy for the much-anticipated event and tickets are on sale online.
Set in the Castle Mall Gardens every day except Christmas Day from December 6 to January 2, the winter spectacular promises to be the perfect backdrop for romantic days or a fun night out.
The rink will have a capacity of 70 people for one-hour sessions and
is sponsored by Norwich International Airport. It will be open from 10am to 9pm to anyone over four years old.
Adult tickets cost £10, children aged four to 16 get in for £7, a family ticket for two adults and two children is £28, concessions are £8 and the snowman bouncy castle is £2.50.
Online booking is available at www.icerinknorwich.co.uk.
Tickets are no longer available at the EDP and Evening News' headquarters or over the phone.
See page 22 for £4 off your skate.
See page 24 to 25 for stunning photographs of skating in years gone by.
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