Really Big Quiz raises record amount

Exeter’s 11th annual Really Big Quiz broke its fundraising record once again, raising an impressive £6,200 for the Lord Mayor of Exeter’s charity, Ataxia UK – which funds research into a group of neurological disorders that affect balance, co-ordination and speech.

Organised by chartered accountancy firm Simpkins Edwards, the quiz took place at the Corn Exchange in Exeter on Wednesday 7 May. The hall was packed with 70 teams representing local firms, all eager to win the title of Exeter’s brainiest business.

Guests enjoyed a light-hearted evening of challenging quiz questions presented by John Coombs and Adrian Hemmings of Simpkins Edwards, plus a raffle and auction hosted by auctioneer James Morrish of Kivells.

For the second year running Mr Morrish encouraged all guests to play the Heads or Tails game, which together with the auction and raffle raised £2,662. After adding the money raised from entry fees, a cheque for £6,188 was presented to Tina Thatcher from Ataxia UK’s HQ in London. An additional £12 from the Heads or Tails game was found on one of the tables at the end of the night, bringing the grand total raised to £6,200.

The winning team on the night came from ATASS Ltd. The Really Big Quiz is an annual social event for ATASS, and this year they entered a record six teams. The winners were presented with a trophy to mark their victory, as well as some well-earned champagne. Teams from St Loye’s Foundation and Gilbert Stephens LLP came second and third respectively, winning wine and chocolates.

“We’re thrilled that so many teams entered this year and helped us raise such a fantastic amount,” said John Coombs, Partner at Simpkins Edwards. “We’d like to thank everyone who took part and dug deep into their pockets and brains! We’re delighted that the event is so well supported by a large number of people including those businesses who donated raffle and auction prizes and the Sea Cadets who help collect answer sheets each year. We must also say well done to ATASS who won the trophy this year – we are very grateful to them for their continued support of the Really Big Quiz charity event.”

The Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Rachel Lyons said: “I am extremely grateful to Simpkins Edwards for putting together such an entertaining and well organised evening, but most importantly, a big thank you to everyone who attended and helped to make the event such a successful night for my chosen charity, Ataxia UK”.