Alicia Hulland, Matthew Olorenshaw and Isabelle Sheldrake of Cost Cutters UK prepare to donate the proceeds of the charity quiz to Veterans In Action
Staffordshire-based Cost Cutters UK has raised more than £750 for a veteran support charity by hosting a pub quiz.
The fundraiser at The Nelson Inn in Burntwood on Thursday (February 29th) sold out within a matter of hours, with the pub offering the business the use of its event marquee to meet the demand for tickets.
The quiz was organised to raise funds and awareness of Veterans In Action, Cost Cutters UK’s nominated charity for 2024.
The organisation, which describes itself as a Post Traumatic Growth charity, works closely with former servicemen and women to help them transition to civilian life, improving their mental, physical and social wellbeing, harnessing their skills and arranging activities and expeditions to encourage them to
Founded in 2008, a critical aspect of the charity’s work is the ALIVE programme (Achieve, Learn, Inspire, Value, Experience), which focuses on encouraging all members to participate and support one another in their endeavours to fully understand the importance of everything they have done, and that they continue to work toward.
Spencer Courage, Director of Cost Cutters UK, said: “Our commitment at the beginning of this year was to increase the amount we do to support both important causes and the local community, and having attended an event alongside some representatives of Veterans In Action late last year, we were incredibly touched and humbled by the stories we heard from former servicemen and women about the circumstances that led to them leaving the military and how the charity had helped them improve, and in some cases, rebuild their lives.
“The work that Veterans In Action does is diverse and extremely valuable, and we wanted to raise both awareness of the charity’s aims and activities, and funds to to help it continue its work.
“The pub quiz was a suggestion put forward during a team fundraising brainstorm, and we had no idea how popular the idea would prove. Not only did Darren Johnson, landlord of The Nelson Inn, offer us the use of their events marquee to host it, but when the 60 allocated tickets sold out in less than four hours, he offered us the use of the bar as well, giving us a 100-person capacity.
“We were thrilled with the support we had from local businesses, who donated vouchers, prizes and made hampers to allow us to host a prize draw to boost funds further, and we were over the moon when the final fundraising tally was £796. We can’t thank the team at The Nelson Inn and all of our supporters enough for helping us make this inaugural event such a success – it means a great deal to have the backing of a local business, and to see how passionate people are about helping others. We’ll certainly be hosting more quizzes in the future!” he added.
Billy MacLeod MBE, Chief Operations Officer, at Veterans In Action, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support that the Cost Cutters UK team and the local community have shown in arranging and attending this event, and the generous amount of money raised will make a real impact on the projects that we undertake to support those turning to us for help. We are delighted to hear just how much the team has in the pipeline in the coming months to provide further awareness and valuable funds and look forward to getting to know everyone better.”
Darren Johnson, landlord, added: “It was an honour to be associated with such a great charity and we are more than pleased to help in any future events.”
Cost Cutters UK would like to thank numerous local businesses who supported the evening, particularly those who donated items to the prize draw. These included The Larder in Lichfield, which donated a three-course Sunday lunch at The Larder for two, The Nelson Inn, which donated a £50 voucher for their restaurant, Vie Hair Salon, in Lichfield, which donated a cut and blow-dry, and Solo Carpets, who donated a doormat. In addition, Cost Cutters UK put a £50 One 4 All shopping voucher in the pot, while employee Jessica Bryce made up and donated two hampers.
For further details on Veterans In Action and its work, visit https://veteransinaction.org.uk.
To support Cost Cutters UK in its fundraising efforts for the charity, visit the business’ JustGiving page.
