Take almost 90 people dressed in various rugby supporter costumes, add in a fantastic quiz master, great local volunteer bar staff and helpers and you have Fiona Southorn’s Fundraising Trivia Night 2011.

For those who don’t know, Fiona Southorn has been selected to represent New Zealand at the World Road Cycling Champs in Denmark next week. Because Fiona is a special Olympian it means that she doesn’t qualify for any financial support, so all costs including her uniform, flights, accommodation etc has to be self-funded.

Now Fiona is extremely modest and isn’t the kind of person who tells everyone about her phenomenal  achievements like setting a world record, competing at the last two Olympics, winning so many medals that she has lost count. Her training schedule can see her cycling up to 100kms a day. She is an extremely dedicated and committed athlete, so it was great to see her home town coming out to support her.

We had raffles, spot prizes, games, the quiz and a crazy rugby themed “pass the parcel”, which saw some people downing a dry weetbix, singing the Fred Dagg “Gumboot” song, balancing on one leg…just to name a few.

I think it was fair to say that everyone had a fantastic night and with just under $5000.00 being raised it was extremely successful night.

I am sure I will join everyone who knows Fiona by wishing her all the best with her up and coming completion. We look forward to seeing her qualify for the London Olympics in 2012.