A week on from our annual ‘Big Indigo Charity Quiz’ and it’s still only just sinking in what we managed to achieve! What a fantastic evening had by all with an incredible amount of money raised for Norfolk and Waveney Mind.
Last year we raised an extraordinary £4,000 for Mind but this year we knew we wanted to beat that and raise even more! We set ourselves an ambitious fundraising target of £5,000 and I’m over the moon to announce we hit this target! None of it would have been possible without all the help, support and generosity of all those involved before and during the event – it truly was a team effort!
James Groves, Managing Director said: “To see what started as a quiz by candlelight in a restaurant in Norwich with 70 people 5 years ago, grow to the amazing event we had last week is amazing! The support we see from the local business community grows every year and the impact it has on Norfolk & Waveney Mind is so rewarding to see. To raise £5000 this year for a charity that is so close to all the Swans hearts and to know the impact it has on lives all around the county and beyond is something myself and the Swans are extremely proud of. Indigo Swan has always wanted to give something back. The money we have raised over the last few years has enabled Norfolk & Waveney Mind launch their suicide bereavement service which recently received Public Health funding.”
Each year we are blown away by the generosity of the local business community who kindly donate some of our amazing raffle and silent auction prizes. Over the past 5 years our annual quiz has grown and so has the support we receive – this kindness really doesn’t go unnoticed! This year we were lucky enough to have 2 fantastic flights, theatre tickets, bar and restaurant vouchers, a week’s seaside retreat for up to 7 people, and photography studio sessions among the prizes donated. You can view a full list of all the prizes here.
Special thanks to the amazing team at EPIC studios for helping us to host such an incredible evening! Everything from the lighting and swan LED screens to the amazing bar staff and everyone who helped us prepare was perfect – we couldn’t have asked for more! If you are looking for somewhere to host a charity or corporate event, then we would highly recommend it as a venue.
On the night we were joined by more than 165 guests, making up a total of 31 teams going head to head in a battle to be crowned the overall winner. As we were celebrating our 10th birthday we tried to link the rounds to Indigo Swan in some way. Subjects included birds, the last 10 years, abroad and general knowledge (with a twist) and a bonus picture round with films from 2009 for extra points.
Hayley Leech, Head of Finance at Indigo Swan commented: “We set ourselves an ambitious target of raising £5,000 at our charity quiz this year and everyone in the nest is so thrilled that we achieved it. It wouldn’t have been possible without the help and generous support from local businesses. The number of fantastic prizes kindly donated each year amazes me. A massive thank you to everyone involved, whether you supported us before or during the night.”
Food was served by the delicious Bucket List and Cocky Dogs and I think everyone will agree with us when we say it was super yummy! During the dinner break we asked teams to take part in an additional challenge for some extra points which involved building the tallest structure out of a certain set of materials which included spaghetti. To say it got a little competitive might be a bit of an understatement, but it was all good fun and who doesn’t love a bit of healthy rivalry?! But there could only be one winner on the night and although it was a close call R13 Recruitment, whose team name was ‘The Lucky 13’, took first place with Naked Marketing coming in close second and the team from Revolution de Cuba in third.
Jaime Lloyd-Jones, Marketing Manager, said: “For me, one of the best parts of the evening was walking around and seeing all the different teams interacting with each other and all the happy faces. So many people came up to me throughout the night saying how much they were enjoying it and how awesome they thought all the swans were – and that for me is what it is all about! People coming together, having some fun and raising money for such a worthwhile cause. I’m so proud of what we achieved and now I can’t wait until next years!”
The feedback we have received so far has been amazing and we just want to thank everyone involved with the planning and preparation. Thanks to all those who came on the night and enjoyed the quiz, the teams at EPIC and Bucketlist and our amazing swans for lending a helping hand and making it all come together. That’s the quiz over for another year but we will be back again next year and who knows what’s in store for the 2020 edition! (£6,000 😉)
