Art Meets Ice
Something special is about to hit the ice at Belfast’s SSE Arena on Saturday 7 June 2025! The Odyssey Trust has joined forces with celebrated local artist Keith Drury to bring extra flair to this year’s Hospice Hockey charity game - an event promising thrilling sports action, celebrity appearances, and a whole lot of heart, all in aid of Northern Ireland Hospice.
Inspired by global fundraising events like Soccer Aid, Hospice Hockey is part of The Odyssey Trust’s 25th-anniversary celebrations, with the ambitious goal of raising £100,000 for Northern Ireland Hospice. Fans can expect an evening packed with high-energy ice hockey, live entertainment, and local legends taking to the rink. And speaking of legends, players confirmed include Ciaran Bartlett, Leah McCourt, Kerri Quinn, Petr Čech, and Owen Nolan - with plenty more surprise announcements to come!
A Masterpiece on Ice
Bringing a creative twist to this icy showdown is Keith Drury, famous for his vibrant and detailed urban artworks that have caught the eye of football icon Pelé and even Anne, Princess Royal. For Hospice Hockey, Keith has put his artistic spin on two stunning, specially-designed jerseys and a limited-edition print, titled "Giants Bay".
If you’re familiar with Keith’s beloved "Belfast Bay" piece, imagine it reimagined for hockey - with Belfast Giants players, a Zamboni, the puck sculpture at The SSE Arena, and fans proudly donning 25th season merch. Oh, and there's also a duck on skates, because why not?
A Winning Partnership
Paul McMahon, Chief Executive Officer of The Odyssey Trust, shared his excitement for the collaboration, "We’re incredibly proud to collaborate with renowned Belfast artist Keith Drury for this year’s Hospice Hockey charity game. Keith’s passion for the city and his unique artistic style brings something truly special to both the jerseys and the bespoke print created for this event. It’s a powerful way to honour the cause, celebrate our community, and support Northern Ireland Hospice through ice hockey.”
Keith himself is thrilled to be part of the event, “It has been a pleasure to be involved with The Odyssey Trust to celebrate their 25th anniversary. The designer jerseys and special edition artwork feature my signature style, along with quirky embellishments, including a duck on skates! Partnering with The Odyssey Trust to raise funds through Hospice Hockey has been a privilege and demonstrates that the organisation is a real ambassador for good in Northern Ireland.”
With the countdown on, Hospice Hockey is shaping up to be an unforgettable night of sport, creativity, and feel-good fundraising. Keep an eye out for more big announcements - this game is going to be one for the books!
For more information about Hospice Hockey or to purchase tickets, please click here. To purchase the purple Hospice Hockey jersey, please click here.
