Businesses begin Pendleside Hospice's 2017 challenge

Representatives from 29 businesses from across East Lancashire kickstarted Pendleside Hospice’s 2017 Corporate Challenge.

The challenge, which started on June 1 and runs to September 30, sees businesses go head-to-head and battle it out to raise the most money for the hospice during a four-month period.

Each participating company has been given £50 donated by sponsor Charter Walk Shopping Centre, Burnley, which they have to try and turn into as much money as possible through any means possible.

The challenge, ran for the first time last year when 26 companies raised more than £85,000.

This year, businesses have already come up with a range of fundraising events including comedy and casino nights, a sky dive, football and golf tournaments and a fashion show.

Businesses already signed up enjoyed a coffee and networking at the Little Barista in Burnley. There is still time for other companies to join in the fun of the next few months.

Richard Farnworth, director of Farnworth Rose solicitors, which has offices in based in Nelson and Barrowford said: “The Corporate Challenge is a great way of getting businesses to get to know each other while at the same time helping raise much needed money for the Hospice.

“We decided to take part as the hospice is our chosen charity for the year, and we thought it would be an excellent way of fundraising for them.

“As we also turn ten this year, we’ve decided to do ten different challenges that will all raise funds for the Hospice. We are all very excited and can’t wait to get started.”

Kaye Bartle, the hospice's fundraising manager, said: “We are thrilled to have 29 businesses on board who are eager to get going with their events and are even more competitive than last year to win the challenge. For anyone interested in taking part in the challenge there is still time to sign up."

All sponsor money raised will help to provide care for local people who are coping with a life-limiting illness at a time when they need it.

It costs almost £4m per year to run Pendleside Hospice, of which only £1m is paid for by the NHS. The rest is raised by public donations. A grand awards event will be held in October at Burnley Mechanics where the winners from various categories will be announced.