Four go head-to-head with Darragh from The Chase

FOUR people went head-to-head with the star of ITV’s ‘The Chase’ Darragh Ennis at a quiz in the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel last week, but only one emerged victorious.

Over 200 people attended the quiz, which was held as a fundraiser for Holy Family Community School (HFCS) in Rathcoole, of which Darragh is a past pupil.

Two raffles were held on the night, one which had 60 raffle prizes that were donated by parents and local businesses, and another where the four winners competed in a Chase-style quiz against Darragh.

Two of the competitors drew with Darragh, one lost and one won – and Darragh donated the prize money for the winner and the people who drew with him.

Denise O’Keeffe, deputy principal of HFCS, told The Echo: “It was amazing, there was a real community feel to the event.

“The majority of the people who were there were past pupils, parents, and staff past and present – it was great fun.

“Everyone who was there was so enthusiastic about it, they were delighted that they had gone, and they had a really great night out as well.”

The event was organised by the school and the school’s parents’ council with the support of Darragh Ennis, who suggested the quiz fundraiser, and over €15,000 was raised for the school on the night.

“We are so grateful, as a school community, for the advertising sponsorships, and for the people who bought tickets and attended,” said Ms O’Keeffe.

She praised the past pupils of the school who happily gave back to the school, including David Byrne from Spectrum Print who created the booklets for the fundraiser.

When asked why she thinks so many past pupils of HFCS are happy to give back, Ms O’Keeffe said: “Every staff member who comes through the doors says the same thing: they get an instant sense of family, it’s not just a name.

“Obviously academic performance is important, and we encourage our students to do well, but there is a pastoral system and a nurturing spirit that I don’t think you get in many other schools.”

The funds raised have yet to be earmarked for a particular project or use, as the teachers will liaise with their pupils to find out what they feel it should be used for in the school.