EMPIRE Cinemas Swindon will be taking part in Ben & Jerry’s Annual Free Cone Day for the 11th year running - this year raising money for MediCinema.

The 37th ice cream celebration will run at the Greenbridge Retail Park cinema from 12pm until 8pm on Tuesday, April 12. Free Cone Day has become one of the most popular days in the calendar at Empire Cinemas. Last year thousands of people around the country came to get their free cone and raised money for MacMillan Cancer Support in the process.

MediCinema is a registered charity dedicated to bringing the power of cinema and film to patients across the UK. Operating in seven hospital and places of care across the UK, MediCinema build, install and manage state-of-the-art cinemas, screening the latest releases the film industry has to offer, so that long-term patients can enjoy the escapism, magic and excitement that a trip to the cinema brings.

Free Cone Day is a tradition that started back in 1979, when founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield had just survived their first year of running a business. They wanted to thank their local community of Vermont for supporting their start-up ice cream venture, by giving out free scoops of their concoctions. Over three decades later, it’s a global giveaway in 36 countries resulting in over a million free scoops.

Gordon MacDonald, Retail Manager for Empire Cinemas, said “We’re delighted to partake in yet another Free Cone Day at our cinemas, which have proved to be very popular over the years. Ben & Jerry’s is a big part of our cinema experience, and we’re pleased to offer our customers the opportunity to come and get a free cone, whilst raising money for a fantastic cause in the process.”

Kat Mason, CEO of MediCinema said "We are delighted to be partnering with Empire and Ben and Jerry's as their chosen charity to benefit from this wonderful event. You only have to witness the looks on our patients' faces as they walk through the doors of a MediCinema to understand the true value of escapism, and return to normality for people who are unwell in a place of care. This generous partnership will allow us to continue providing patients with the transformative and therapeutic effects of cinema”