A QUIZ organised by the father of a university lecturer who was affected by a devastating brain condition has raised £2,072 for the charity which supported the family.

Mike Williams, the owner of Castle News, in Malton, chose The Encephalitis Society to be the recipient of the proceeds from the 25th anniversary of The Sundella Trophy,which was held on March 17.

The Malton-based charity has helped Mike since his daughter, Sophie, 33, a university lecturer, fell critically ill with Japanese Encephalitis while on a research trip in south-east China in July 2015.

Mike said: “Sophie continues to make steady progress, but will always need 24-hour care.

“She will be moving from hospital to Bury Rehabilitation Centre on April 3 and always remains positive and continues to receive tremendous support from her friends and colleagues.

“The quiz was my way of thanking The Encephalitis Society for their amazing support over the last 20 months.

“It was heart-warming to see so many quizzers – new and old – turning up on the evening.

“There were not many dry eyes in the house when we showed a lovely video message from Sophie who wished us all well on the night.”

The evening was sponsored by Tate-Smith Ltd, which has supported the quiz since it was started in 1992, and Dance Expression, Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors LLP and John Smith’s.

The winners of the quiz were the Old Byland Allstars. The runner-up prizes were awarded to Horseshoe B, Foxton’s Fallible Four, Four Short Planks and The Honeymooners while the booby prize went to Rotary B.

Dr Ava Easton, chief executive of The Encephalitis Society, said: “Apart from the fact that our team didn’t get as many questions right as we would have liked, it was a fantastic evening all round and the money raised will be used to help people affected by encephalitis and their families.

“It was great to see so many people come together for Mike and Sophie and for The Encephalitis Society.”

l Mike’s next fundraising quiz will be at The Fleece, Rillington, on Friday, April 7, at 9pm. The evening will include a hot supper.