Ice Art recently had the chance to create a spectacular Springbok ice sculpture for the prestigious Bell’s Night of the Stars Rugby Extravaganza that was hosted at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC).
The event was held to celebrate the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund to kick off the Rugby World Cup in style. Over R1.1 million was raised for the victims of serious rugby injuries at the Bell’s Night of the Stars Rugby Extravaganza, and Ice Art was there to get the celebrations started with a massive Springbok ice sculpture!
For the second year running, Ice Art created a life-like two block ice carving of a Springbok. The sculpture featured two fountains from which Bells whiskey flowed. Standing at an impressive 2m tall, the sculptured weighed in at 300kg. As an eye-catching centrepiece and proud symbol of South African rugby, the sculpture was one of the events many highlights.
“The Bell’s Old Scotch Whisky Team has been involved in raising money for the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Players’ Fund for many years now and the latest Bell’s Night of the Stars was another incredible chapter in our association with them,” said Dominic Malan, marketing manager of Brandhouse Whiskeys, who went on to say, “The evening was a fantastic success and proved yet again just how passionate South Africans are about rugby and just how caring they are about those who have been injured playing the game.”
Created by Ice Art’s Matthew Smyth and the rest of the Ice Art crew, the pre-carved Springbok ice sculpture was transported to the venue in Durban and then painstakingly assembled once it had arrived at the Durban ICC.
Alan Shuman from Brandhouse said about the event, “The “Bells Night of the Stars” at the convention centre in Durban was another huge success for the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Fund and the Telethon. A tribute to the current Springbok team, past Springbok heroes, and some of the Australian rugby players and the who’s who from the rugby world and supported by the business community made this the premium fund raising event on the rugby social calendar.
The fund raises money for Rugby players who were the unfortunate victims of catastrophic or serious rugby injuries through the game of rugby in South Africa and all the funds are donated to ultimately uplift their lives and that of their families. Bells Extra Special is very proud to be associated with such a worthy cause. Ice Art’s professionalism and expertise and attention to detail is the reason why we use Ice Art continuously. The “Springbok Ice Sculpture Fountain” was a huge success and created the perfect photo opportunity on the evening while everyone enjoyed a delicious Bells Braveheart from the Fountain.
My sincere gratitude and thanks to James and especially to Mathew and Mark who were extremely accommodating and made certain adjustments and made sure that the Fountain was working 100% before leaving. I can but only give Ice Art the highest praise, who all certainly make life a pleasure when doing business with their team of ice sculpture experts, ensuring 10 Star Service.”
