Children’s Charity Fundraising is a Question of Sport

Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity Press releases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCOTTISH sport personalities and enthusiasts alike put their knowledge to the test in a night of quizzing to raise funds for an influential children’s charity.

Now in its tenth year of running, the annual sports quiz held at Prestonfield House in Edinburgh helped to raise a remarkable £80,000 for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC)

Famous faces from the world of sport took on the challenge including Celtic football captain Scott Brown, former super featherweight boxing champion Alex Arthur, Olympic judoka Sarah Clark and Scottish rugby legends, brothers Kenny, David and Iain Milne.

Teams came from across the city to take part, from companies such as Deloitte, Walter Scott, PwC and Aberdeen Standard Investments.

Funds were raised by pledge and auction on the night, with prizes including a signed painting of tennis star Andy Murray by artist Geo Thomson, a private dining experience hosted by former footballer Michael Stewart at The Dome and a helicopter transfer to this year’s Open Championship.

The first event began in 2008 with just three tables of guests, but has since grown to be the biggest ever pub quiz held at Prestonfield House, playing host this year to a total of 36 teams.

Rachel Baxter, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at ECHC said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled with the success of the sports quiz on its tenth anniversary – the feedback we received on the night was fantastic, with some saying it was the best ever.

“Every penny raised makes a huge difference to the experiences of children in hospital and across community healthcare settings in Scotland, ensuring that young people and their family’s lives are less interrupted by illness.”

A team of 27 volunteers – the largest group yet – from Scottish Widows, George Heriot’s School and Bank of Scotland assisted on the night to make the event run as smoothly as possible.

Frank Cusack, of Musselburgh in East Lothian has been quiz host since its inception, having experienced the vital work of the charity first-hand when his son Adam, 14, was diagnosed with a rare form of meningitis.

Frank’s long-term support of ECHC has helped to raise a phenomenal total of over £250,000 for the charity that helped his son and family in their time of need.

Frank said: “Hosting the annual sports quiz is just my way of saying thank you to the people who saved my son’s life.

“We know from personal experience how vital the money raised is in continuing the work of the charity to support families like ours. It is a cause very close to our hearts.

“It is always a brilliant night and it’s great to see so many sports stars give up their time for free to support ECHC – on the tenth anniversary too, which is a fantastic achievement.”

Rachel added: “We’re hugely grateful to all of our volunteers, quizzers, hosts and partners who make the sports quiz what it is. Without their vital support, we simply wouldn’t be able to host events of this scale.

“The quiz has come so far in the last ten years and we’ll work to keep this amazing momentum going to create an even bigger and better event next year.”