A FUNDRAISING page has now been set up to help secure the future of Swindon's ice hockey team - the Swindon Wildcats. 

Flooding in September caused extensive damage to the Link Centre in West Swindon, which is the team's home, forcing it to close and forcing the team to train and play elsewhere. 

This has also left the club without the vital gate receipts for home games that it relied on financially.

The Link Centre was recently able to reopen the gym and fitness studios but the ice rink needs significantly more work and is not expected to be back open until next year, or December at the earliest. 

So the fundraising page has been set up by Paul Norbury, who runs the Wildcats Supporters Club, to help the team while it navigates the next few months of unexpected increased travel costs. 

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He said: "This season promised so much for all of us. Not only has the rain stopped us from playing at home, it has prevented us from earning the money we rely on to fund the team and operate the hockey club.

"This is why the Swindon Wildcats Supporters Club is now asking the Swindon community and all ice hockey fans to come together and support the Swindon Wildcats.

"We’re managing to rearrange some of our fixtures to buy us time, but this means increased travel costs. Your contribution can therefore help us to keep the team on the road as travel costs are high and we have very limited income.

"We’re setting a target of £10,000 which is less than 50 per cent of our expected travel budget this season. It’s a big number, but we’re confident we can find 1000 people to donate a minimum of £10 and say YES to supporting the Wildcats."

He added: "Let's come together as one roaring force behind the Swindon Wildcats. Your contribution will make a huge difference to the survival of the club and together we can maintain the Wildcats' 37-year legacy as a symbol of Swindon's strength, resilience, and sportsmanship."

You can find the fundraising page here: https://gofund.me/76cc2d0c

The Bespoke Guardians Swindon Wildcats recently announced two more fixture changes spurred on by the ongoing situation at the Link Centre. 

It will be playing its 'home' game on October 22 at Planet Ice in Bristol and another at the Vindico Ice Arena on Cardiff on November 11. 

The club extended its sincere thanks to Planet Ice for its support as well as the Bristol Pitbulls and Cardiff Devils.