CINEMA goers can grab a free ice cream and help support pensioners.
Empire Cinema Sunderland will be dishing out free scoops of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream between 6pm-9pm tonight.
Ice cream lovers will be asked to make a small donation to Age UK Sunderland.
It is the second year Empire Sunderland, in Sunniside, has taken part in the annual Free Cone Day, which has grown into a global event which sees more than a million scoops given away worldwide every year.
Last year, about 350 people in Sunderland enjoyed a scoop of ice cream on the house.
The cinema’s assistant manager Anish Patel said staff were inspired to raise money for Age UK after meeting older film buffs who attend weekly screenings.
“We get a lot of older people coming in here on a Wednesday when we have a senior showing,” he said.
“You get to know them and the problems they have in a day-to-day life and how Age UK can help them.”
Alan Patchett, director of Age UK Sunderland, said: “We are very grateful to the Empire Cinema Sunderland for thinking of us and having this initative to raise funds for us.
“We have worked with them for quite a while and they put on a regular session for older people, which is wonderful.
“We fully support that and encourage older people to go and use the local facilities.”
John Hodgson, general manager, said: “This is our second year taking part in Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day. Last year was really fun and we hope to recreate that atmosphere and give away loads of ice-cream in aid of charity.”
For information, visit www.EmpireCinemas.co.uk or call 08714 714714.
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