Camelon pub DJ's online quiz night raises thousands of £s for charity

A Camelon pub DJ who has kept hundreds connected and raised thousands for charity during lockdown has thanked all those who have supported his efforts.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Social media users responded in their droves when The Falkirk Herald asked readers to nominate their lockdown hero.

One man’s name in particular was repeatedly mentioned – The Canal Inn’s Tony Riddell.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He has been hosting an online quiz via Facebook since the coronavirus crisis began to keep customers’ spirits up and provide some light relief.

Bantaskine resident Tony Riddell hosts an online quiz night that's raised thousands for various charities, including Strathcarron Hospice and Maggie's Forth Valley. Picture: Michael Gillen.Bantaskine resident Tony Riddell hosts an online quiz night that's raised thousands for various charities, including Strathcarron Hospice and Maggie's Forth Valley. Picture: Michael Gillen.
Bantaskine resident Tony Riddell hosts an online quiz night that's raised thousands for various charities, including Strathcarron Hospice and Maggie's Forth Valley. Picture: Michael Gillen.

The 56-year-old’s weekly shows – held on Thursdays and Sundays – offer pub regulars the chance to enjoy some classic tracks, chat with friends and compete for fun, all with the aim of supporting local causes.

So far, quiz night contestants have generated more than £8000 for Strathcarron Hospice and helped out a number of other organisations, including Maggie’s Forth Valley and breast cancer and child disability charities.

While he accepts his virtual get-togethers are helping others to cope amid the tightening of coronavirus restrictions, Mr Riddell downplays any notion he deserves ‘hero’ status.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Bantaskine resident, who spends up to three hours preparing each quiz, said: “Local hero is a bit strong but a lot of people say it’s helped them through and given them something to focus on.

“We had a regular quiz night run by a guy known as Swally. It was a main contributor to charity. A few people had messaged the pub’s Facebook page to ask if we could do something online.

“We decided to do one to raise money for charity. It’s like a virtual day in the pub!

“My grandson went through a terrible operation and the virtual quiz helped to raised £600 for a cancer charity.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The regulars drop money through my door and bottles of alcohol to say thanks. It’s quite overwhelming.

“With Tony’s Tunes on a Sunday, we get anything up to 300 people on from all over the world. We’ve had people from Chile, Venezuela, Italy, the US, South Africa, Ireland, Greece, Mexico and Colombia.

“I think because I’m doing something different, I’m managing to get a lot of people on board. We’ve done themes like country and western, love songs, Motown and crooners.

“Music brings people together. The numbers speak for themselves.”

Thank you for reading this article on our free-to-read website. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a subscription to our print newspaper to help fund our trusted, fact-checked journalism.