A ROTARY quiz night to benefit communities in North Ayrshire will be a blast thanks to a new sponsor.

Galileo Energy, developers of the proposed Crosbie Wind Farm project in North Ayrshire, will be the first-ever headline sponsor of the annual Hunterston Rotary Club quiz night.

Funds raised at the event, to be held on  October 25 in Ardrossan, will be used through the club's community awards programme to assist local groups, clubs and individuals in need of support.

Norman Whyte, president of Hunterston Rotary, said, "We are delighted to secure our first-ever sponsor for our popular quiz night.

"Our annual event will see teams of Rotarians and their guest from across North Ayrshire and the west coast of Scotland battle for the Inter Club Quiz trophy while raising vital funds for our successful Community Awards programme."

VIP trips aboard two of Scotland’s most famous ships will be among the star lots in a “Silent” auction that will form part of the quiz night in the Lauriston Hotel. Auction bids and proceeds from a bumper raffle will see hundreds of pounds being raised to help the community.

Cris Thacker, communications manager at Galileo, said: “We are delighted to be the first-ever headline sponsor for the Hunterston Rotary Club quiz night.

"The club's invaluable work in North Ayrshire and beyond, meant that supporting this event was a very easy decision for us and I hope the evening is a roaring success and lots of money is raised."

Jim Jackson, who oversees the Hunterston Rotary Club’s community awards programme and is quizmaster on the night, said: “Sponsorship support from Galileo comes as a welcome boost, and together with auction bids and raffle ticket sales, it will enhance what we can put back into our communities through direct financial assistance.

"Again, I would encourage those clubs, groups, and other organisations needing support to contact me if they wish to apply."

Silent auction lots worth hundreds of pounds will include VIP family trips aboard the famous Paddle Steamer Waverley and the iconic steam powered Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine.

Winning raffle tickets will see guests take home a range of prizes that have been donate by a range of companies and Rotary Club supporters across the country.

Mr Jackson added: "We might not have priceless antiques and paintings in our auction but I’m sure bidders will be excited at what's on offer.

"Successful bidders and raffle prize winners will not only be going home with some unique items, but with memories of an event which promises to bring some laughs and certainly a lot of fun to the evening’s entertainment,"

The central focus of the event will be a hotly contested general knowledge quiz with the winning team being presented with the much coveted Hunterston Rotary Club trophy.

This well-supported event in the Rotary Club’s fundraising calendar helps organisations and individuals throughout North Ayrshire in need of vital funding support.

A record busting sum of over £600, raised at last year's quiz night, has already been used to support a wide range of projects and community group initiatives including the Caledonia Piping Club, 3TFM Radio based in Ardrossan and the West Kilbride Yuletide Group and Primary netball team.

The quiz night will be held on Friday, October 25 in the Lauriston Hotel in Ardrossan starting at 7.30pm and Hunterston Rotary is keen to invite anyone who can put together a team or teams of up to four to get in touch.

Entry costs £10 per person paid on the night and includes a buffet, entry to the auction and the chance to win many raffle prizes.