Sutton Sting Ice Hockey Academy has been awarded a £1,000 donation from the Mansfield Building Society’s Community Support Scheme.

Based at Lammas Leisure Centre in the town, the junior ice hockey club will use the money to buy a full goaltender’s kit, allowing youngsters the chance to try all positions across the team.

Luke Newman, of the academy, said: “We are run by volunteers, made up of ex-professionals, parents, and former students.

“We play across the UK, in both competitions and friendly matches, and we’d like to give these young children everything they need to take part and open the sport to all — regardless of background and family situation.”

Anna Grabas, financial accountant at the building society, who is pictured presenting a cheque to the academy, added: “Competitive sports can be expensive, so helping to make them accessible to the wider community by providing the club with necessary kit is valuable to those in our local area.”