Quiz Night Fundraiser

Not all fundraising events are large and lavish affairs with months of organisation and a team of workers behind them. Some are simple and raise modest amounts of money, but are equally valued by those who benefit from them.

One such event took place quietly over last winter, and is set to do so again this year. The Martinborough Hotel Bar and Grill ran a pub quiz with a twist every second Thursday in 2014 between the end of daylight saving in April and its restart in October.

Jerry and Caroline Dolan, who own and run the Bar and Grill, say that “we get lots of requests from the community and we can’t support them all”. So they came up with the idea of introducing an element into their quizzes that would raise money in a low key way for a local cause. Each team entered in the quiz can buy one answer for the sum of $5. Then it is a matter of strategically using that answer to win the quiz. When scoring is very close, as it usually is, that one answer can mean the difference between glory and shame!

When they thought about what cause their fundraiser would support, Jerry and Caroline were firm that “it would be kids – local kids if possible,” and that quickly translated into fundraising for Martinborough School. Specifically, the money will go toward technology. Principal Craig Nelson’s goal is to have every child in Year 4 and above with their own device in three years’ time and the money raised will help to cover the costs of leasing computers in the meantime. He also talks enthusiastically about being able to purchase applications that provide evidence of learning and support literacy attainment. Money is tight and there are countless requests that have to be prioritised, so all unexpected donations such as this are very welcome.

The 2014 total raised was $441, which Principal Craig Nelson describes as “an absolute bonus” for the school. Jerry would like to see more teams enter this winter and attempt, by judicious use of their purchased answers as well as knowledge and quick thinking, to topple the AK47s, who are the current champions.

Pub Quiz nights will begin again on the second Thursday of the month, with the first on April 9th. Make up a team and come down around 7pm for a 7.30 start. Enjoy the “quiz and curry” night, have a lot of fun, and help support our local school.