100th quiz for wife's memorial fund

David Church, aged 67 of Speen, has spent the past 13 years raising funds for the Victoria ward at Royal Berkshire Hospital as a way of thanks for the care it provided to his wife, Maureen.
Mrs Church died three days before Christmas in 1999 following a long battle with severe diabetes, and on July 1, 2000, Mr Church held his first quiz to officially launch the Maureen Church Fund.
He said: “My sister-in-law and myself decided, rather than for her life to be in vain, we would set up the fund to raise money for much needed equipment in that ward.”
Since then, he has held around nine quizzes a year at the Wash Common Community Centre, in Glendale Avenue, each with 100 questions, at the same time as running his own gardening business.
On Saturday, March 2, Mr Church will host his hundredth quiz and is calling on members of the public to come forward to support the good cause, and also extended thanks to those who have supported him so far.
“There are a lot of people that are pleased that her memory is still being kept to the fore, they have happy memories of her.
“She was a very popular lady in her time.”
To date the Maureen Church Fund has raised in the region of £17,000 for the hospital which has helped to supply vital equipment.
Development manager for the Royal Berkshire Charity, Ian Thomson, said: "Mr Church has worked tirelessly for over 10 years raising funds in memory of his wife for Victoria Ward.
“His efforts have funded a whole range of items, including specialist monitoring equipment, all of which helps us provide better facilities for our patients.
“His efforts are truly humbling and we are all deeply grateful to him.
"His next event will be the 100th quiz night he has organised, a figure which clearly illustrates the long-term commitment he has made to our hospital and our patients.
“All of us here would like to say a very sincere thank you in advance."