Legal eagles from Clifford Chance brave pirates and tough questions for a good cause
- Law firm raises HK$30,000 for Operation Santa Claus through charity quiz
Lawyers at a charity quiz racked their brains to tackle questions about a wide range of topics while laughing off punishments imposed by the event’s “inspectors”, who fined attendees for various “offences”.
In a room decorated in the style of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean, Clifford Chance employees Mark Chan and Rocky Mui Ka-ho donned pirate hats, blew whistles and doled out penalties for anything from bragging to failure to put on a costume.
The punishments were one of the highlights of the quiz, which was held in the law firm’s office in Central on December 6.
“They laughed at my hat,” Chan said, explaining why he had “fined” one of the participating teams.
About 50 legal eagles and business services professionals were split into eight groups for the quiz, which featured topics ranging from international relations to public health knowledge and showbiz.
“I’ve already got more than HK$3,000 (US$383),” Chan said about 10 minutes into the game, pointing at the cash and IOUs inside a basket he was holding.
The creative fines were part of the fundraising effort, along with the entrance fee paid by each participating team.
Proceeds go to Operation Santa Claus, the charity drive jointly organised by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK.
Geraint Hughes, regional managing partner at Clifford Chance, said the event provided an opportunity for staff to have fun together while supporting a worthy cause.
“I love seeing the team members work together trying to find the right solution,” he said, adding that he enjoyed his experience as quizmaster.
Hughes said the firm, which has been running the charity quiz since 2010 to raise funds for Operation Santa Claus, planned to continue holding the annual event.
“[The charity event] makes a very valuable contribution to the community here in Hong Kong,” he said.
James Webb, the firm’s general manager for Hong Kong, said he was delighted to see bosses and staff having fun together.
“We have some of our senior management asking the questions and getting themselves involved. That brings the whole team together,” he said.
The event raised HK$30,000.
How you can give
- Donate online by credit card at osc.scmp.com/donate
- Donate at an ATM or at any HSBC branch (account no: 502-676299-001 for SCMP Charities Ltd Operation Santa Claus)
- Donate with a cheque payable to “SCMP Charities Ltd – Operation Santa Claus” and mail it to: Operation Santa Claus, South China Morning Post, 19/F, Tower One, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay
- Donations of HK$100 or more are tax-deductible. If you would like a tax receipt, please send the completed donation form and original bank receipt, with your name, address and phone number, to the above address. Please call +852 2680 8159 or email [email protected] with any inquiries, or visit us online
