UK Fundraiser Doubles Goal After Quiz Night Success

When Shaz Saleem set out to raise £1,000 for charity in early February, she hoped the community would show up. They exceeded her wildest expectations in just one month.

The Kingswinford resident launched her fundraising campaign to support Midlands Air Ambulance Charity and One Cat at a Time, two organizations serving critical needs across the region. After hitting her initial target within weeks, Shaz raised the bar to £1,500.

A charity quiz night on March 18 at The British Oak pub pushed the total past £1,600. Fourteen teams battled through eight rounds of questions, with Team Moto edging out the competition by just five points to claim victory with 315 points.

The evening raised £217.50 in person, adding to the £1,382.50 collected online. Local community leaders packed the pub, including representatives from the Kuppa Club, Kingswinford Foodbank, and the local litter picking group.

The Ripple Effect

This fundraiser shows how one person's dedication can spark collective action. The Midlands Air Ambulance Charity provides lifesaving emergency medical services across a six-county region, responding to critical incidents where every second counts. One Cat at a Time rescues and rehomes abandoned cats throughout the area.

By pairing a vital emergency service with an animal welfare organization, Shaz created a campaign with broad community appeal. The response demonstrates what happens when someone identifies real needs and gives neighbors an easy way to help.

Shaz isn't stopping at quiz nights. On April 4, she's taking her fundraising efforts to new heights with a wing walking challenge, strapping herself to the top of a vintage biplane to raise even more money for both charities.

The rapid success reflects something special happening in Kingswinford: a community that shows up when called upon and celebrates giving back together.