Four-times British champions the Wight Jewels are among skaters performing at a special charity gala in Basingstoke on Friday 6 July. The Isle of Wight’s junior synchronized skating team are among a cast of top skaters taking part in this event to raise money for the Simon Waller Fund. The gala is hosted by Mark Hanretty, the professional skater who partnered Rosemary Conley in the most recent series of ITV’s Dancing on Ice.

Simon Waller once had a promising career as an ice skater and elite athlete. He moved into coaching after a series of severe illnesses and an accident. Simon, who is registered disabled, remains seriously ill: the gala is part of fundraising efforts to help send him to a specialized clinic in the USA.

Tickets are £15 (concessions £12), and a family ticket (two adults, two children) is £44. The gala, held at Planet Ice Arena, Basingstoke, starts at 7.30pm (doors open 6.30pm).

Gala website: sk8basingstoke.co.uk/simonwaller/

NISA news link: www.iceskating.org.uk/node/5368