November 28, 2019 1.55 pm This story is over 52 months old

Over £1.3k raised for charity at record Shooting Star chippy quiz

A fun, annual event for a good cause

Lincoln Cathedral scored a total of 69 out of 90 points, and retained the crown for the second year in a row.

Lincoln PR company Shooting Star’s seventh annual chippy quiz night sold out in record time and raised £1,321 for a suicide prevention charity.

The Elite Fish & Chip Company’s Lincoln Restaurant was the ‘plaice to be’ as eighty local businesspeople filled the venue for The Quiz, Chips & Mushy Peas event on Monday, November 25.

The venue was at full capacity with 20 teams of four, who were put to the test in eight different categories including general knowledge, television, music, sport and current affairs, as well as enjoying excellent food provided by Elite.

There were 22 prizes to be claimed in the raffle including a curry masterclass for two and a selection of massage vouchers.

The team from Lincoln Cathedral returned to defend their title, winning with a total of 69 out of 90 points. They took home this year’s top prize of a luxury wine and food hamper, courtesy of Helen Cousin (founder of the charity Help Me, I’m Fine) after retaining their crown.

Lincolnite colleagues Steve Smailes and Emily Norton were on opposing teams this year.

The Lincolnite also took part with two teams: ‘Supercalifraga-fishsticks-atthequiz-adocious’ and ‘Cod do Better’.

The winner of this year’s best team name was Obam Stairlifts, who dubbed themselves ‘Can Salmon Else Answer This Question?’. They were presented with £20 worth of vouchers to spend at the Elite restaurants and takeaways. 22 prizes were also claimed in a raffle.

The winner of this year’s best team name was Obam Stairlifts, as chosen by staff from the Elite restaurant. Colleagues from the winning team dubbed themselves ‘Can Salmon Else Answer This Question?’.

Shooting Star launched its annual chippy quiz in 2013 as a way of raising money for its Charity of the Year, so far generating over £7,000.

Shooting Star Director and quizmaster Jez Ashberry said: “The Elite staff always provide a brilliant service and we are grateful to the team for providing us with the space to support these wonderful charities and make a difference each year.”

This year’s quiz was organised by Shooting Star’s two Rising Star Interns, Tatiana Davey (left) and Amelia White (right).

Charity of the Year

This year’s proceeds will go to Help Me, I’m Fine (HMIF), who are Shooting Star’s chosen Charity of the Year.

The charity’s founder Helen Cousin gave an emotional speech on the night about the charity, which is named in memory of her daughter Maisie Cousin-Stirk from Misterton.

Shooting Star directors Jez Ashberry (left) and Kate Strawson (right) pictured with Helen Cousin (centre), founder of HMIF.

Maisie sadly took her own life in 2017 after a private battle with her mental health.

The charity has raised £35,000 over the past two years through donations, book sales and events, such as the chippy quiz.

Helen said: “After finding an ambigram in Maisie’s room that read ‘Help me’ one way and ‘I’m fine’ the other, I decided to start Help Me, I’m Fine.

“Initially, I asked our Facebook followers what they thought our money should be used for and it was overwhelming how many said they struggled to access a counsellor after losing someone. It was then I realised that I needed to channel Maisie’s memory into something positive.

“We have created badges, keyrings and wristbands for children and adults to wear, and I have also written a children’s book called The Knot. It demonstrates how everyone can get a knot (a tight feeling in the stomach caused by stress or anxiety), no matter how old they are and – crucially – that there are ways of dealing with them.”

Click here for more information about the charity.