AROUND 1000 special needs schoolchildren were left licking their lips with joy after an award-winning ice-cream maker stepped in to assist an annual fun day.

The award-winning Subzero ice-cream, formerly known as Mr Creamy - the family run business established in 1959 and based in the Rhondda Valleys - rallied to the cause when Barry Island cafe owner Marco Zeraschi’s mammoth 200 litre vanilla flavoured order caused the staff to pick up the phone.

Barry Island traders support the Variety Club of Wales’ annual September day out where special needs youngsters and their teachers, from across South Wales, descend in their masses on Whitmore Bay to experience a day out by the sea – eating beach-style food, taking part in a sandcastle-building contest, and enjoying free entertainment laid on by Vale Council events team, Claire Evans and Sarah Jones.

The event founded by Promenade trader Pat Collins senior and Langdon Doidge, now in its 42nd year, sees Boofy’s Codfather of Sole and O’Shea’s cafe lay on the chips while Marco caters for the water demand, also free of charge, usually providing the ice-cream at cost price.

The whole event is organised by Variety At Work officer Sue Frampton.

Marco said: “It’s the cafe’s favourite day of the year. We donate a 1000 bottles of water to the children and we sell 1000 ice-creams at cost, but this year Subzero offered to donate 1000 ice-creams to the children.

“They are so well behaved and the smiles on their faces when they realised they are going to get an ice-cream. It calibrates you – when people moan about their car or you can’t afford a holiday seeing them puts it all into perspective. We are in a position to help.”

Kevin Jenkins, of Subzero, said: “Marco Zeraschi placed an unusually large order for delivery this Tuesday. I called him and asked what all the Subzero ice cream was for. He told me he was expecting a visit from the Variety Club who were all going to been given an ice cream by Marco and his family. When we heard that he was helping such a great charity we felt that the least we could do, would be to donate the ice cream.

“Having ordered great sunshine for their day out on Wednesday, we hoped all the children had a fantastic day in Barry.”