A fundraising gala and raffle to send the IW synchronized skating teams to next week’s British championships helped raise around £1,350, making a considerable contribution to the teams’ travel costs among other expenses.

Last night’s gala raised over £400 of the total, and featured performances by three of the IW’s synchronized skating teams: the Wight Jewels, Wight Crystals and the Wight Gems. A special mention must also go to the individual IW skaters who do not take part in synchro, but who none the less skated in the gala to help synchro’s fundraising efforts: Archie Bicknell and Maggie Read.

The raffle raised over £900, and was supported by The West Bay Club in Freshwater, the Tomato Stall, and Appley Manor Hotel, all of which donated prizes.