Generous supporters of English Premier League ice hockey club, the Milton Keynes Lightning, have snapped up every one of the team’s play off jerseys in less than three hours on the club’s Own And Loan scheme.

Half of the profits generated by shirt sponsorship and sale of other special merchandise will go to the charity Breast Cancer Care, with the remainder to the Lightning.

The scheme means a supporter or local business has their name printed on the shirt which a player then wears in action in the season-ending league play-off competition. The washed, game-worn shirt is presented by the player to its owner at Lightning’s end of season awards night. No replicas will be be available.

Robyn Carlson, Community Fundraising Executive for Breast Cancer Care said, “A big thank you to MK Lightning who are proudly supporting Breast Cancer Care by donating 50% of their playing shirts and merchandise profits to Breast Cancer Care and wearing pink shirts.

“Your kind donations allow us to help thousands of women and their families every year through our face-to-face, phone and online services. We offer training for specialist breast cancer nurses and opportunities for them to share best practice. Our information is used in breast care units across the UK. We promote the importance of early detection, and campaign for better support and care, involving people with breast cancer in all that we do, so thank you.

“All that’s left to say is best of luck to MK Lightning in the play offs!”

Chairman of the Lightning Supporters’ Club, Dave Bunyan, responded: “Our supporters’ response has been phenomenal yet again. There was so much interest that we could probably have sold twice as many! Thank you to everyone who everyone who has been lucky enough to get one, and to everyone who got in touch but was unsuccessful.

“Through shirt sponsorship, matchnight fund-raising, merchandise sales and other activities the MK Lightning Supporters’ Club has funded the team to the tune of over £40,000 so far this season. That all helps to keep the team going and provides the funds to help ice as competitive a team as possible.”

To join the MK Lightning Supporters’ Club see the team’s website, www.mk-lightning.co.uk or apply at the Supporters’ Club stand on home matchnights.