Hospice challenge to businesses

East Lancashire Hospice is seeking 15 companies to go head-to-head and prove they have business flair.

The charity has launched a search for teams of talented fundraisers - businesses from Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn or the Ribble Valley that want to make a difference in their community by raising valuable funds for the hospice.

Each participating company will be given £50 - thanks to headline sponsor Organic Insurance.

Organic Insurance, based in the new Cathedral Quarter in Blackburn, is owned by Chris Ridehalgh, Chris Knight and Duncan Bennett and is delighted to be supporting the hospice’s first Corporate Challenge.

A judging panel will select the 15 companies who pledge to raise as much money as possible.

The challenge is for businesses to turn £50 into as much as they can within a six-month period – running April 1 until September 30. 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.

Fundraising suggestions include dress down days, bake sales, raffles or bag packing. You can also enter colleagues into one of the hospice’s organised events such as the Ribble Valley Pub Walk.

The companies will be invited to the official launch breakfast, and during the challenge they will receive publicity via the hospice's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts, website and press coverage. The results will be posted on a leaderboard each week.

Chris Ridehalgh, from Organic Insurance, said: "East Lancashire Hospice does great work. The care they give there is not just about the last few days of someone's life. There's so much more to the hospice than people realise.

"Most people know someone who has had to use the hospice, or may need to access the hospice in their lifetime and the money raised from this challenge will help to ensure it's there to help families who need it.

“It's a charity we feel we can really make a difference with." An awards event will be held in October where the winners from various categories will be announced.

www.eastlancshospice.org.uk/challenge-of-a-lifetime