Banbury virtual gin tasting and quiz night raises more than £200 for Katharine House Hospice and Helen & Douglas House

More than 20 teams took part from across Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, and Warwickshire, including representatives from the charities and a lady currently in hospital following the birth of her son, to help fundraise for the hospices.

The online event was free, but people were asked to donate if they could afford to. Participants could choose from a ‘Gin Tasting Ticket’ or ‘Quiz Only’ ticket. Those taking part in the gin tasting were posted a botanicals sachet in advance to add to their gin.

The event was organised by Lisa-Marie Mallier, a local marketing consultant and host of Banbury Business Buzz networking group.

She said: “Charities like these need our support now more than ever. I cannot imagine how hard it is for those with terminally ill loved ones to cope under normal circumstances, let alone during lockdown. I wanted to find a way to support the amazing work these hospices do and create a ‘social moment’ at the same time."

Participants pit their wits against each other during the two-hour fundraiser for a chance to win a series of prizes kindly donated by Slurp Banbury, local travel consultant, Catherine Blackburn of Brilliant Travel Limited, as well as No Fluff Communications.

The overall winner was Juliet McDermott, Banbury with 66 points out of a possible 72, followed by Derek Hettenbach, a local businessman and FSB Advisor, and Allan and Andrea Love from Website Energizers, Banbury.

Alison Hooker from Helen & Douglas House said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who took part in the quiz to raise money for us.

"Many of our families with terminally ill children are isolated at home during lockdown because their children are so vulnerable.

"Having us at the end of the phone is a lifeline for many of these families. We are also caring for children at the hospice for symptom management and end-of-life care.

"We need help from supporters now more than ever with our shops temporarily closed and our fundraising events postponed."

Mrs Mallier is arranging another quiz fundraiser for May. If you would like to be notified of the date or donate a prize, email Lisa-Marie at [email protected].

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