Twenty-four local teams from Life Education Wessex’s Corporate and Community supporters battled it out for the coveted Big Quiz Trophy at their Big Quiz night at AFC Bournemouth last week, with the evening proving to be a great success for the children’s charity raising £8,232. This will help the charity educate 1766 children.

The Winning team for the 3rd year running was "Is there an ECHO? “ from the Daily Echo. In second place was 'Law & Disorder' the Humphries Kirk team.

The Quiz Night was kindly sponsored by Bay Radio and Humphries Kirk and Mazars who also joined in the Quiz on the night. The lively and entertaining Quizmaster, Nigel Hedges of Bourne Engraving put the teams through their paces again. Everyone also enjoyed a complimentary meal, silent auction and raffle.

Amongst the twenty-four teams there was everything to play for, with The Bournemouth Echo taking first prize for the third consecutive year. Nigel Hedges, President of the Chamber of Trade and Commerce hosted the quiz for the second year running. He explained: “I came to the quiz a few years ago, and I thought, ‘I could do that’ so here I am the second time round.” Mr Hedges quizzed the guests, over ten rounds, on the nationality of Delta Goodwen, the identity of Herman Von Rumpey and even the colour of Daniel Craig’s swim shorts in Casino Royale!

The night was chiefly organised by Corporate Fundraiser Lorraine Hewitt, who said “it’s really nice to see so many familiar faces this evening and I’m so glad that some of you are here for the third year running.”  Diane Day, a LEW fundraiser, emphasised the importance of local support. She said, “This generation is set to die younger than the previous. Without your help and support, we couldn’t do any of this.” Lead sponsors were Bay Radio, Humphries Kirk and Mazars. Alan Coote, Managing Director of Bay Radio, said “we heard on the grapevine that there was an opportunity to sponsor. What I like is the fact that it’s helping young people with their life skills. They are helping the kids and helping the community.” He added, “It’s a great opportunity.”

 The charity teaches children through interactive media and promotes positive lifestyle choices. By focusing on the damaging effects of alcohol and drugs, children are encouraged to discuss and discover knowledge to keep them safe. There is also an emphasis on the danger of peer pressure and how to combat it.  According to UK Government Office of National Statistics, nine percent of fifteen-year-olds smoke, and an increasing fifty percent of sixteen year-olds binge drink (Joseph Rowntree Foundation). By tackling these issues early on, Life Education Wessex believes this will empower children to make the right choices.

From the support of Bay Radio, Humphries Kirk, Mazars, Ceuta Healthcare, Copy plus, Bourne Engraving, Ansvar Insurance Co Ltd, E Coleman Insurance Brokers, Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water Co, Palmer Snell, AFC Bournemouth Business Club, Barnaby’s Opticians, Castle Point and Bournemouth Chamber of Trade, and Ansvar Insurance Co. Ltd - LEW is enabled to continue to visit schools across Dorset, Somerset and Devon.

Lorraine Hewitt, Corporate Development Fundraiser for Life Education Wessex, says: “The need for life Education has never been more important with continued reports highlighting the health of our nation, particularly that of our children. LEW is the only charity of its kind meeting the needs of the community. As a self financing charity with no funding from the Government, we are totally reliant on our own fundraising events like the Big Quiz night and the continued support of local community organisations and corporate partnerships. We would like to thank all of our supporters of this event for helping us to continue to secure our vital service to the young children of Dorset, Somerset and Devon.”