College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine

Sports Quiz fundraising for MND research

A sell-out crowd packed out ‘Just a Sports Quiz’ at the BT Murrayfield Stadium for a night of big prizes and fundraising.

Euan MacDonald Centre researchers talking to public

Capacity crowd

On Friday November 6th a capacity crowd of 420 sports fans gathered in their teams to battle it out for the 2015 ‘Just a Sports Quiz’ title, winning big prizes along the way.  For the third year running the BT Murrayfield Stadium played host to a fantastic night of sports trivia in aid of vital research into Motor Neurone Disease being carried out at the University’s Euan MacDonald Centre.

Showcasing research

Even the sports trivia experts were challenged during a brand new interactive first round where teams visited research stands to find answers to MND related questions.  This provided researchers at the Euan MacDonald Centre the chance to share with quiz goers a little bit about the vital work taking place at the Centre.  Some experienced ‘the arm takeover’ courtesy of Dr Guy Berwick and others heard sample accents from the donor voice bank.

Stars of Scottish sport

Local broadcaster Scott Wilson returned as quiz host and the University’s Ladies Rugby and Shinty clubs did an excellent job of keeping the scores.  As is tradition, the event was attended by some big names in sport and for 2015 the organisers were delighted to be joined by a whole team of Scottish Olympic and Commonwealth athletes including Edinburgh graduates Gemma Fay (football), Becky Merchant (hockey) Colin Gregor (rugby) and Claire Brownie (netball).

Just a Sports Quiz team members

Points mean prizes

The huge success of the event would not be possible without the support of local businesses and special thanks go to Harviestoun Brewery, Nairn’s Oatcakes, La Favorita and of course Scottish Rugby.  Businesses and generous donors across Edinburgh and beyond donated fabulous prizes ranging from rounds of golf, private yoga classes, Kevin Bridges tickets and autographed sporting memorabilia.

 

A fantastic event that brings friends together for a night of sporting revelry whilst raising funds for MND research.

Scott Hastings

The Euan MacDonald Centre

The Euan MacDonald Centre is based at the University of Edinburgh and is a Scotland-wide hub of more than 100 basic scientists and clinical academics researching into Motor Neurone Disease.  The centre was established in 2007 by Euan MacDonald MBE and his father Donald MacDonald, CBE.  As keen rugby supporters the MacDonald family are always first in line to attend and support Just a Sports Quiz.  The event first kicked off in 2013 as a joint initiative between the University and former Scottish rugby international and Honorary Graduate, Scott Hastings.  After three successful years raising tens of thousands of pounds for MND research, the quiz looks set to return for 2016 amidst Scotland’s Autumn Test series.

Visit the Euan MacDonald Centre website.