PROFESSIONAL and local skating sensations took to the ice for a fiery fashion show which raised hundreds of pounds for charity.
Nearly 200 visitors watched in awe as the Fire Ice show at Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre saw skaters jump, spin and spiral in the air to raise money for Farleigh Hospice.
The event was sponsored by Sainsbury's, in Springfield, and showcased key pieces from their autumn and winter range, including clothes designed by popular TV fashion guru Gok Wan.
Skaters arrived onto the ice to the sound of this year's popular tune Gangnam Style, and compere, Riverside's assistant manager, Stephen Meier, gave the audience a rundown of the clothes and prices.
As well as ice skating, there were performances from dancers from TV's Pineapple Dance Studios and an awe inspiring display from a fire eater.
Event organiser Val McDevitt said: "This is the first time that such an event has been held at the centre.
"I wanted to come up with a different way to raise money from the more traditional fundraising events.
" I am pleased with the show that we have been able to put together to raise a lot of money for this very worthwhile cause."
Val contacted Farleigh Hospice to ask them to be their chosen charity, and it was delighted.
Community fundraising assistant, Vanessa Adams, said: "It was an amazing event, and there was quite a few people there, the place was buzzing.
"The skaters had only been practising for three months, with some coming from as far as Norwich, and on the night was the first time it was all put together.
"There was so much support for Farleigh.
"They kept mentioning us throughout the evening and had collection buckets everywhere.
"Stephen Meier is quite a character and he was really good as a compere.
"The whole skaters' routine was really fantastic.
"It was just amazing how the whole thing came together – what a great idea.
"It was so colourful, Santa came out and they even had music from the 60s and a sketch dedicated to The Beatles.
"Even though I was selling programmes and raffle tickets at the front, I could tell the atmosphere was just amazing.
"The tickets were a bargain for the amount of work put in by everyone involved."
