An Education raises £60,000 for PEAS

Quizmaster Jeremy Paxman led teams through six rounds of grueling general knowledge questions to see Katherine’s team defeat teams headed up by captains such as Louis Theroux, Bruce Dickinson and Deborah Meaden. The best and brightest employees from city firms such as Deloitte, ING and Barnett Waddingham, were questioned by Jeremy Paxman, famous for hosting University Challenge and Newsnight.

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Deborah Meaden, entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den judge bidded £5000 to win the honour of naming a classroom for a PEAS school in Uganda. Deborah Meaden says “Organising a quiz to raise funds for an education charity is so spot on. It’s been a blindingly inspirational night and it was lovely to have named a class. The sustainability of PEAS is what engaged me and I’m really looking forward to seeing PEAS’ work on the ground and the long term difference it makes. ”
She was just one of the night’s team captains alongside Louis Theroux, and other special guests including actor Larry Lamb, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner, Iron Maiden leader singer Bruce Dickinson and Apprentice advisor Nick Hewer.

Winning team captain, Katherine Parkinson says “I’m so delighted to have won. It’s been a privilege to have been in a room with so many clever people and great to win a quiz once! It’s been a lot of fun too.” The Oliver Wyman team were closely followed by a team from Deloitte, led by comedian Richard Herring, who took second place.

The event raised over £60,000 for PEAS, which will help us to launch five new schools in Uganda in February. The £60,000 raised could help PEAS build as much as twelve classrooms in Uganda, allowing PEAS to enroll hundreds of new students.

John Rendel, PEAS’ CEO said: "PEAS hopes to open five schools in Uganda and one in Zambia in February, and this event has helped to raise much needed funds to help equip the schools so they can give its students the best education from the beginning. We are delighted with everyone’s response tonight "

The teams were given some respite from the brain busting questions during a dinner and auction, which saw guests bid for a double date with TV actor Larry Lamb and his son George Lamb, and up and coming designer Alicia Duncan Smith, daughter of cabinet minister Iain Duncan Smith, donate a bespoke couture dress to a lucky bidder for £3000. Comedian and Spaced actor Peter Serafinowicz outbid Charlie Higson (co-creator of the Fast Show and author) for a Savile Row tailored suit.

For more information about the event, the charity or special guest or corporate involvement in An Education, please contact Abigail Colley on 020 3117 1918, 07783586899 or abigail.colley@peas.org.uk.