LOCAL charities are better off thanks to the knowledge of supporters.

Twenty teams of quizzers took part in this year’s Brains of Newquay Quiz at Newquay Golf Club to try and win funds for their nominated cause, which was organised by Newquay Towan Blystra Lions.

There are no losers in the quiz as every local charity and not-for-profit community cause represented is guaranteed to benefit to the tune of £50 with and there were prizes up for grabs for the winners of each round.

The prize pot of just over £2,000 was provided by the Lions from their community account from which grants are made and which is funded through the generosity of the public during the year at such events as Newquay Beer Festival, the Giant Easter Egg Raffle, Santa’s Sleigh tour and other fundraising and donations.

This year it was also topped up from the Newquay Lottery community grants. The Lottery is run by Radio Newquay who sponsored the quiz music round.

The first prize of £400 was won for Newquay RNLI by David and Hilary Payne, Pam Hill and Sue Ashton who quizzed as the inappropriately named Hopeless Case.

It was a close-run thing though as there were only three points separating the top three teams. Second were last year’s winners, The Flukes who won £350 for Newquay Marine Group and in third place were The Bloomers, quizzing for Newquay in Bloom who won £275.

Newquay Cormorants Swimming Club, Children’s Hospice South West and Newquay Foodbank all won £100, Trenance Heritage Cottages received £75 and Lusty SLSC, Rehab 4 Rosey, Cornwall Accessible Activities, Newquay Hornets Juniors, Friends of Indian Queens School, Newquay Cricket Club, Newquay Boardriders, Chrissie’s Sunshine Appeal, 5th Newquay Scouts, Newquay Dramatic Society, Cornwall Air Ambulance, Newquay SLSC and the NSPCC won £50.

Making his final appearance behind the bar was club steward Alex Clarke who has supported the event since it started by providing, not only the hospitality, but also having written most of the quiz questions for the event for over a decade.

Retiring in a few weeks time, Lion president Heather Stanley took the opportunity to present Alex with a certificate of appreciation and a bottle of his favourite tipple. Alex is looking forward to being able to compete in future quizzes rather than have to work on the evening.

Heather Stanley said: “It is great to see so many people coming along to support this event and help raise funds for causes which are close to them. It’s a fun way to be able to get the money we raise back out into the local community groups that support so many aspects of our lives in the area.”