Chester SpeedQuizzing host raises vital funds for Chester Zoo and Alexander’s music venue
A Chester quiz host has raised almost £600 for two of the local businesses most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
When lockdown began, SpeedQuizzing host Simon Davies began hosting his popular weekly pub quizzes virtually, with the aim of raising money for the local organisations hit hardest by the current restrictions.
Using SpeedQuizzing Live, our free app and online platform that enables users to host and play fast-paced, interactive, virtual quizzes, Simon has so far hosted virtual trivia events in aid of Alexander’s, one of Chester’s most popular music and comedy venues, and Chester Zoo – two organisations currently fighting hard for their future.
His quiz for Alexander’s raised over £500 in donations, which will go towards the venue’s crowdfunding campaign launched in April to help save the business from permanent closure due to the impact of coronavirus restrictions.
Simon is also running two weekly virtual quizzes, on Thursdays and Sundays, in support of Chester Zoo, which has just received the welcome news that it can reopen from the 15th June, after reporting huge financial struggles as a result of the pandemic.
In addition to generating donations from players, Simon has adopted a giraffe at the zoo, providing vital funding for its upkeep and ongoing conservation work.
Commenting on the money raised so far, Simon said: “I wanted to use my quizzes as a force for good to help those businesses that are really struggling right now.
“It’s almost impossible to imagine Chester without Alexander’s or the zoo, but the reality is that both face uncertain futures after being hit incredibly hard by the Covid-19 restrictions.
“A lot of my regular quizzers actually work at the zoo, I consider them as friends, so I know just how heart-breaking the last few months have been for so many people.
“It’s a pleasure to be able to help both businesses in my own small way, and the real debt of gratitude has to go to my quizzers who have shown huge generosity in these extraordinary times.”
James Northrop, manager of Alexander’s, said: “We’re hugely grateful to Simon and his quizzers for their support and generosity.
“Since launching our crowdfunding initiative in April, we’ve been blown away by the volume of donations that have come flooding in. We’re incredibly proud to serve as a cultural hub within the city, and every penny gives us hope that we’ll be able to keep trading once the restrictions are lifted, once again bringing entertainment, happiness and joy to the people of Chester and further afield.”
Simon’s fundraising SpeedQuizzes take place on Thursday and Sunday nights. For more detail on how to play, visit Facebook.com/pubquizchester
