Olympic Figure-Skating Champion Robin Cousins To Join Eastbourne Ice-Rink Celebrations

Thursday, 5 December 2024 15:44

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

British Olympic figure-skating champion, Robin Cousins MBE will take to the ice at Lightning Fibre’s accessible Ice Rink in Eastbourne next week, to celebrate its accessibility for all and seasonal return to Eastbourne.

The appearance is part of the legendary skater's support for Sussex families whose children have long-term or life limiting conditions.

Cousins, a Guinness World Records holder and former ITV Dancing on Ice head judge, will lace up his skates on Thursday December 12 at the Lightning Fibre ice rink to encourage people of all abilities to partake in the joy of ice skating.

Cousins, a patron of various children's charity and a BBC Sports Personality of the Year, has been keen to lend his support to the Lightning Fibre ice rink with a focus on accessibility.

This enables wheelchair users and the SEND community to get onto the ice and join in the fun.

Chelsea Spence, volunteer activities and accessibility co-ordinator at Forward Facing, said:

“The opportunity to take our families, of varying abilities and accessibility needs, on the ice is brilliant.

"The ability to enjoy the ice rink is something many of our Forward Facing families and young people might have previously written-off, however Lightning Fibre and Festival Events have made great efforts to be as inclusive as possible and our families love it.

“Skating along-side Robin Cousins, an ice-skating legend, (is going to be) totally amazing for me — but for Oscar in particular — as he is a wheelchair user with complex health needs."

Stephen Holt, leader of Eastbourne Borough Council and CEO of Eastbourne BID, will join from the sidelines as an enthusiastic supporter of the seasonal attraction credited with boosting visitor numbers and generating huge economic benefits for the town.

It was the BID team who brought the rink back to Eastbourne after a nine year absence, back in 2021, and operated the rink in 2021 and 2022 before handing over to Feastival Events in 2023.

Lightning Fibre’s Ice Rink is located outside the Enterprise Shopping Centre and Eastbourne Railway Station and is open every day, except Christmas Day, until December 31.