Jones Harris organised a Charity Quiz Night
14th April
The North Euston Hotel.
The idea for the event started out from a comment made by a colleague of mine, Marc Cortinas.
As a firm we are often invited by various contacts we have such as Banks and Agencies to enter teams or attend events that they are organising. Marc suggested that perhaps we should organise a quiz night for some of our clients. The idea then spiralled from what was envisaged would be a few teams in a corner of the local pub to 22 teams filling the ballroom of the North Euston. We invited clients to enter a team of up to 5 people at a cost of £40.00 a team and the response was great. Teams entered from amongst others, Lofthouses (Fishermans Friends), Barclays Bank, North Euston Hotel, & Builders Supplies. We also asked that all teams brought along a prize for our raffle. I also wrote to a number of local businesses and North West Football clubs for donations.
Again the response was tremendous and extremely heartwarming - I managed to get some really good donations including signed memorabilia from Manchester United, Manchester City, Everton & Blackpool FC.
Freeport donated a £50 voucher, Twelve Restaurant donated an A la Carte meal for 2 included wine, Barton Grange Restaurant also donated a meal for 2 and numerous other donations were received from amongst others, Plush in Fleetwood, West Coast Rock Cafe, & Marks & Spencer.
For the sporting memorabilia we invited sealed bids on the night and items went from between £65 and £251, with the signed shirt from Blackpool raising the most. Jones Harris very kindly provided the hotpot supper and The North Euston did not charge for the room. Steve Mulligan who is the usual quiz master at the North Euston also provided his services free of charge and did a fantastic job.
Myself and my colleagues Marc Cortinas & Jim Baker decorated the room. First prize was a cake donated by Cake Creations of Poulton and a Trophy donated by the pony club attended by the daughter of one of our receptionists Yvonne Crewe. The eventual winners were the team entered by The North Euston but a great night was had by all. The night was a huge success and from entry fees, raffle and sealed bids £2183.00 was raised. With a further £1500 coming from Barclays this gives a grand total of £3683.
Lastly, why did we choose The Motor Neurone Disease Association? My brother-in-law Graham Egan was diagnosed with MND in May last year. He sadly passed away in December but once we as family found out about you and came along to one of your meetings you provided tremendous support to Graham, Claire his wife, Molly their daughter and all our family. That support continues today. Whilst I am sure you won't mind me saying this but people really don’t want to be in a position where they need you, it is so reassuring to know that help, support and friendship is so readily available.
Having experienced MND first hand it is all too clear that funds are desperately needed not only to support the families but for future research. As a pure coincidence the date of the event was actually Graham’s 50th Birthday. My sister Claire entered 2 teams which included other sisters Colette and Diane along with Grahams brother’s wife and some close friends. They thoroughly enjoyed celebrating his birthday raising funds for a great cause- a fitting birthday celebration.
Jane Egan