Renowned quizzer and television personality Mark 'The Beast' Labbett took on a new role as quizmaster at the charity Battle of the Brains event held on August 4th along with Martin Green of Redtooth.
The event, hosted at The Cutlers' Hall in Sheffield, saw Labbett stepping away from his usual position of answering questions to posing them to the participants.
The charity event, organized to support community initiatives at Wentworth Woodhouse on behalf of the Master Cutler's Challenge, drew in enthusiastic teams from prominent South Yorkshire businesses including Gripple Limited, Iceotope, and Airmaster Air Conditioning Ltd. These spirited teams competed for the coveted title of brainiest contenders and a substantial £500 cash prize, generously sponsored by COOPS EMBS Electrical.
The quiz questions, which were the heart of the event, were meticulously crafted by a collaborative effort between Mark Labbett himself and Martin Green, the Managing Director of Redtooth Quiz. Redtooth Quiz, a locally based specialist quiz company with 23 years of experience, supplies quizzes to thousands of pubs and clubs across the UK every week. Martin Green, who also holds the prestigious position of Vice President at Sheffield United, expressed his enthusiasm for supporting a worthy cause initiated by Dame Julie Kenny DBE DL, the Chair of Trustees at Wentworth Woodhouse and Master Cutler.
"Dame Julie knows Redtooth are quiz experts and manage the Chasers and asked if we would support her Master Cutlers’ Challenge to raise £200,000 for community projects at Wentworth Woodhouse, the house she helped save," said Martin Green. "The answer had to be yes. Dame Julie is one of South Yorkshire’s most successful women and the second to hold the title of Master Cutler of Hallamshire in 398 years."
The event showcased the collaborative efforts of Labbett and Green, who not only co-wrote the engaging Battle of the Brains quiz but also co-hosted the evening. Attendees reveled in the diverse and intriguing questions that spanned various topics, ensuring a night of fun and intellectual stimulation for all.
The Battle of the Brains event was held as a part of the annual Master Cutler’s Challenge, a philanthropic endeavor that has raised over £1 million for local causes since its inception in 2008. This year, Dame Julie Kenny DBE DL aimed to surpass all previous records by raising over £200,000 by September 30th to support community projects at Wentworth Woodhouse. The funds garnered from the event will contribute to Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust's activities, focusing on aiding low-income families, ethnic and minority groups, and individuals with disabilities. Notably, a Community Growing Garden is set to be established, providing up to 20 local community groups with space to cultivate their own produce.
Sheffield-based electrical, mechanical, and building services specialists Coops EMBS Ltd proudly sponsored the Battle of the Brains event. The Managing Director of Coops EMBS Ltd, Ian Cooper, expressed his satisfaction with the sponsorship, stating, "We are really pleased to be sponsors of this event and help increase the final pot of money going to such a worthy cause."
The evening of intellect, camaraderie, and philanthropy undoubtedly marked a memorable chapter in South Yorkshire's social calendar with support from local businesses, the Battle of the Brains event was an astounding success, further propelling the cause of enhancing community projects at Wentworth Woodhouse.