Chris quizzes for Farleigh
Saturday 5th April
- The Lantern
- Fundraising & Events
Chris Hibbitt has been organising our Annual Farleigh Quiz Sheet for over 25 years. Volunteering with Jackie Thomson, the pair created their first quiz sheet in 1998, with local organisations kindly donating prizes. He explains how the quiz has grown over the years.
“Since 2004, the Chelmsford 41 Club have very kindly sponsored the quiz. Each year has a different theme such as ‘Around the world’, ‘Let’s go shopping’ and ‘A walk in the country’.
Profit reached £2,000 in 2002 and increased annually but, in 2020, we faced a huge distribution problem when Covid struck. Sales were still high with people pleased to do it to keep them occupied during lockdown, raising £4,000.
Now people can also buy the quiz online and it made a record profit of over £5,000 in 2023 with the theme ‘Let’s celebrate’ to acknowledge the 40th anniversary of our fantastic hospice. The most recent quiz has exceeded this total.
This would not have been achieved without the help of so many people. Firstly, Farleigh’s Head of Fundraising, Debbie de Boltz, and her hard-working team. Also, the growing number of people who regularly sell large numbers of the quiz sheets, such as Rob, the Writtle butcher. He has supported me since the first edition, raising around £100 every year.
What gives me the most pleasure, apart from raising money for our wonderful hospice, is the growing number of people who enjoy the challenge of trying to solve the clues, even if it proves very frustrating! Families tell me it’s become a feature of their Christmas with everyone contributing.
There appears to be no age limit. Last year a lady sent in a completed sheet for her mother, who now lives with her. She apologised for her writing but said she had enjoyed doing the quiz for many years. She certainly did very well as she is now 104!”
Jackie has moved away but still provides questions and proofreads the final sheet. Chris also hosts our popular Quiz Nights in the spring and autumn at Chelmer Valley High School. The next one is on Friday 10 October.
Chris added, “Fundraising for Farleigh can be fun. It has been such an enjoyable and rewarding experience.”
Please contact us if you would like to fundraise for Farleigh - 01245 457411 or email fundraising@farleighhospice.org.
(Article first published 5 April 2025)
