The RO Group have once again used their annual charity quiz to raise over £10,000 for an important local charity, Herts Musical Memories. An annual event until it was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic it returned again in 2023 for the first time since 2019 and was held at the Wyllyotts Theatre.
Alongside the quiz, organised and run by RO employees, the fundraising evening also comprised an auction, raffle and a prize draw for specially designed hampers, put together by the team with donations from local business, employees, friends and commercial partners to the Group.
In total, £10,400 was raised in support of Herts Musical Memories, a charity that delivers singing sessions for people living with dementia and their carers.
For those with memory problems, singing familiar songs helps connect them to their memories, and the RO is proud to be associated with this charity and its important work in the local community.
Herts Musical Memories was founded in April 2017 by Kerry Brabant in memory of her father Terrence John Brabant, in order to continue 'Singing for the Brain', the service originally provided by the Alzheimer's Society. This service was due to be discontinued due to changes to Hertfordshire County Council funding. It seemed unthinkable to Kerry, as an ex Singing for the Brain leader, that this service should no longer be available to people in Hertfordshire. Personal experience had shown her just how important singing and music is for people with dementia.
Edward Rowlandson, Group Managing Director, the RO commented:
“I am incredibly proud of all the hard work that our team puts in to holding this quiz and the great enthusiasm and effort they go to, to ensure that we raise as much money as possible for deserving local charities. It is great to be back after an enforced absence due to Covid. People came from far and wide from within our network of contacts to have fun and give generously and I would like to say thank you to everybody involved for this year raising in excess of £10,000.
“We are delighted to help support Kerry and her team who provide such an important service to many in the local community suffering the devastating impact of living with dementia. It is this ability for people with dementia to connect through music that makes Herts Musical Memories singing sessions so special and so valuable for those who attend.”
Kerry Brabant, Founder of Herts Musical Memories, added:
“Thank you to the RO, for all your hard work and enthusiasm, to ensure the quiz night was such a success. We are delighted with the amazing £10,400 raised. Many thanks to everyone for all your support and generosity. This enables Herts Musical Memories to continue the work we do, to support people with dementia and their carers during tough times.”