TEAMS of work colleagues from businesses and organisations in Worcestershire pitted their wits against one another to celebrate World Sight Day and raise vital funds for Sight Concern’s work in the county.

Sight Concern Worcestershire held its fifth annual quiz to mark the international event and raised more the £6,000 on the night to support its work with blind and visually impaired people in the county.

The charity event attracted 29 teams of up to five people each to the quiz night, which included a meal, a prize draw and an auction of paintings done by people with visual impairments, at Worcester Rugby Club, Sixways, Worcester.

This year’s winning team was from Ballard Dale Syree Watson chartered accountants in Droitwich. Andrew Jenks from the firm said: “The competition was fierce but we kept our nerve and were delighted to win.”

He added: “We try to support local charities where we can and, in this case, one that has such a positive, transformational effect on people’s lives.

“We come to this event every year. Not only is it great fun but it also helps to raise vital funds and increase awareness of the amazing work Sight Concern Worcestershire does in our community.”

Chief officer at Sight Concern Worcestershire Jenny Gage said they had more teams, including some of the charity’s service users, at the event this year than ever before and raised more than ever before.

“We’re delighted with the magnificent support we’ve received from everyone involved. Once again we’ve been lucky enough to have the support of Lloyds Banking Group and this year we’ve raised more than £6,000,” she said.

“This will enable us to continue to help blind and partially sighted people in our county to lead independent and fulfilling lives. Sight Concern Worcestershire helps people deal with the problems of losing their sight, both practically and emotionally. We can only continue to do this with the help of our loyal supporters and friends.”

She said Lloyds Banking had organised the whole quiz and were very professional. “They have been with us from the outset and we could not do it without them. They are absolutely fabulous and they match fund what we raise on the night up to £2,000.”

There are more than 19,000 in Worcestershire living with significant sight loss and Sight Concern, based at the Bradbury Centre, Sansome Walk, Worcester, is the only charity dedicated to improving the lives of blind and partially sighted people in the county.