AN 11-year-old ice hockey fanatic has turned to the Queen for help in getting a permanent ice rink in Brighton and Hove.
Sonny Keywood did not get any luck when he wrote to then Mayor of Brighton and Hove Denise Cobb, so went straight to the top by writing to Her Majesty the Queen without his parents knowing.
Her Majesty duly responded and his letter – highlighting the need for an ice rink in the city – has been passed on to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles.
With no team in Sussex, the youngster from Brighton plays right wing for Guildford Flames, meaning he and dad Simon have to make the 116-mile round trip to training twice a week.
Sonny said: “I was amazed I got a reply from the Queen, especially after my letter to the Mayor didn’t go all that well.
“I think more people would get into skating and hockey if there was a permanent rink here, but without it, it’s never going to be popular.
“At school there’s only one boy in Year 10 I know of that likes hockey, but everybody loves skating, so they’d be down there every day if they had the chance.”
The Cardinal Newman student also plays roller hockey for Hove-based Brighton Stormers and practices on a sheet of plastic to simulate ice in his back garden every day.
Proud dad Simon said: “We had absolutely no idea he had done it, so I’m chuffed he got a letter back. It’s ridiculous there’s no permanent fixture in Brighton and Hove, and I’m sure if it was in place it would be popular.”
When the family went down to the rink at Brighton Pavilion, people were filming Sonny as he whizzed around the ice.
He caught the eye of former Brighton Tigers star Mike O’Brien too, who described him as a “brilliant skater”.
Mother Lynn said: “David Beckham was known as Goldenballs and Sonny is known as the kid with the golden skates – he was born to play hockey.
“That’s all he wants is to play the sport he loves, and for an 11-year-old to do this off his own back is incredible.”
Sonny hopes one day to play in the NHL where his team the Boston Bruins play.
He added: “I’ve always loved skating and I love the game. It’s exciting and fast.”
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