Question Time "shenanigans" raise £4k for Tring Rugby Club

When entrepreneurs start making bets with each other, you know it will probably lead to all sorts of shenanigans.

So when Mike Clare, the founder and ex-chairman of Dreams, heard his friend Peter Borg-Neal was appearing on Question Time, he saw an opportunity to have some fun, while potentially doing a bit of good.

Peter said: "When he heard I’d been invited to take part on Question Time, he offered me a donation of £2,000 to my chosen charity if I could say the word 'shenanigans' in an appropriate context.

"Mike, I and some other friends had recently been on holiday together, and Mike had created a WhatsApp called St. Tropez Shenanigans where we could share photos, travel details and so on."

Peter, who is founder & executive chairman of independent pub group Oakman Inns which has headquarters in Tring, was invited to appear on the programme due to his strong views on the Government’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in relation to the hospitality industry.

And during one exchange during the show, he was able to say: “…Let me refer you back the (Government’s) Shenanigans last week…..”

A bemused Fiona Bruce repeated the word, and Peter clarified his position in more detail.

Peter added: "As Fiona Bruce had also said the word, he assumed I had roped her in as well, and so he doubled his donation.”

Peter’s chosen charity is Tring Rugby Club, of which he is a former chairman. It’s one of 16 clubs whose Minis and Juniors teams receive sponsorship from Oakman Inns, money that

current Tring Rugby chairman, John Ball, explains is desperately needed more than ever.

John said: “The clubs Oakman support are all an integral part of their local communities. At Tring Rugby Club, we provide a safe, fun, friendly activity for children and adults beyond the

school gates into the local community and playing rugby teaches these great kids what we call TREDS - teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

"Lockdown and the various health and safety measures has meant cutting down on the number of events and participants which in turn has not only meant these kids are losing exposure to TREDS but has also put pressure on our cashflow.”

Mike added: “I am still chuckling at Peter’s Shenanigans, which I hope will lift the political mood a little.”