The 12th UK Charity AllStars ice hockey weekend is played at the Viola Arena in Cardiff Bay on Saturday and Sunday.
Over the two days eight teams will be representing their chosen charities in a tournament which has raised more than £650,000 since the first event in 2008, while £106,000 has already been raised before the latest tournament has even started.
“All players take part with the mutual aim of wanting to play hockey, but more importantly to raise funds for some extremely worthwhile causes,” says an AllStars mission statement.
The teams represent Breast Cancer Care, Blue Cross, Help for Heroes, British Heart Foundation, Prostate Cancer, Dream Team, MIND Mental Health Charity and Ty Hafan with matches on from 11 am to 6 pm on Saturday and 11 to 7 pm on Sunday.
Entry is £3 for a day ticket or £5 for the full weekend for adults. Children under 16 – suggested donation.
UK All Stars hockey is a success due to the tireless efforts of hundreds of players, dozens of volunteers, many generous and supportive sponsors, and everyone who donated to the charities.
Chairman Paul Sullivan says: “We on the organising Committee are simply awestruck by the amount raised over the years.
“One that makes us thankful, grateful and more than just a little proud of everyone involved over the years.
“The Allstars has really found a place in the sport of Hockey, but we have seen it grow and evolve into something that means a great deal to a huge number of people.
“The work that has been able to be carried out due to the efforts of all the Allstars is something that has changed lives for the better.
“The Allstars have made it possible to help hundreds, thousands of people. It’s staggering.”
The event started after a telephone call between founder-organisers David Grant and Gareth Hubback.
AllStars hockey is and always has been a mixed ability event. Former Cardiff Devils captain Steve Moria, whose jersey number 19 hangs from the rafters of the Viola Arena, is in the Breast Cancer Care team, while there are players who learned to skate to become an Allstar.
“Gareth and I had a couple of conversations about organising an AllStars weekend and the event was launched,” Says Grant.
“In the first year we barely had enough to cover two teams, three years later we had to expand to five teams, then six and now eight.
“AllStars hockey is built on a basis of everyone who takes part over a weekend is equal.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a play regularly or somebody who only plays one or two games a year.
“Everybody is the same.”
Hubback, too, remains a key organiser for the AllStars and says: “Ice hockey has given me so many happy memories over many and this was my chance to give something back and to help some great charities at the same time.
“After speaking to David we felt we had a viable idea and just went for it.
“To see people take part and play with huge smiles as for some it is their only chance to play the sport is uplifting and inspiring.
“When David and I first talked about this in 2008 there were two men who supported us and also have been inspirations in our lives with how they supported others.
“Our Fathers, sadly, have both since passed away. So we kept this going and their spirit drives us through any obstacles.
“We are lucky that we now have some great people join us in organising the weekend all of whom do it in the spirit it was started in.
AllStars hockey has a launch event at the Viola Arena this evening, from 7pm, before matches start on Saturday morning.