Local businesses boost Pendleside Hospice with record £232K fundraiser

Pendleside Hospice’s Corporate Challenge for 2024 drew to a triumphant close, raising a record-breaking £232,243.04 with the support of over 70 local businesses and organisations.

The annual fundraising effort, kindly sponsored by Northwest Payments Ltd and AKORN Financial Advice Ltd for 2024, has been a staple of the Burnley and Pendle community since its inception in 2016, and has now generated over £1 million for the charity.

Marking this year’s success, an awards ceremony held on the 1st of November at Burnley Mechanics Theatre celebrated the achievements of participants and underscored the importance of community backing for the Hospice.

Fort Vale Engineering took home the Most Amount Raised Award for contributing an impressive £29,597.50.

BCW Group, praised for their exceptional commitment to the challenge, was named the Corporate Challenge Champion, taking the Judges’ Award in recognition of their ongoing dedication to Pendleside.

Marie Coward, a longtime advocate and friend of the Hospice, was honoured with the Special Recognition Award for her personal and impactful involvement in the fundraising community.

In addition to these awards, many other organisations and individuals were acknowledged for their unique contributions across various categories, including Rolls-Royce, Barnoldswick, and Silentnight for Best Event, Pursuit Aerospace for Innovation, Stortec Engineering for Small Business of the Year, James Alpe Ltd for Large Business of the Year, Belvedere & Calder Vale Sports Club for the Laugh Out Loud Award, Millercare for Digital Marketing, Mukhtar Mirza, from Tesco, Burnley for Corporate Challenge Enabler, Bailey Collinge for Rising Star, Colne Networking for Team Spirit, Pendle Borough Council for Best Newcomer, and Kelly Armstrong from Fort Vale Engineering for Fundraiser of the Year.

James Alpe Ltd., winner of the Large Business Award, distinguished itself through a series of events such as charity walks and raffles. The loss of a dear friend and colleague this year, who was cared for by Pendleside, strengthened their resolve to support the charity, inspiring the team to push forward and raise even more funds.

EQUANS, another dedicated participant of the challenge, contributed through events like a golf day, band night, and a local car boot sale.

Junior Project Manager, Aaron Johnson said: “I firmly believe that if you have the ability to help, you should. After last year's success, choosing to support Pendleside Hospice again in 2024 was an easy decision for EQUANS.

"I love organising events for such a meaningful cause, and my personal connection to Pendleside has been my driving force. Both my partner and I have lost family members to cancer who received end-of-life care from the hospice.

"Although their time there was brief, the support they received was crucial in providing our loved ones with the best possible end-of-life care.”

The Corporate Challenge is a four-month fundraising initiative starting on the 1st June, inviting businesses of all sizes from the Burnley and Pendle community to raise funds for Pendleside Hospice.

Each participating organisation receives a £50 starter fund, which they are encouraged to grow as much as possible through a range of events and creative ideas.

This initiative not only supports essential patient and family care at Pendleside Hospice but also fosters team spirit and boosts morale across participating teams.

Aaron added: “If you're part of a local organisation and thinking about joining next year’s Corporate Challenge, go for it!

"The team at Pendleside provides great support, with coffee mornings where participants can network and exchange ideas. There’s no pressure to land in the top 10—if you raise £50, that’s £50 more for patient care at Pendleside Hospice.

"Don’t overlook the simplicity of the fundraisers, such as cake sales and raffles - you don’t have to shave your head or run a marathon!”

The trophies for this year’s Corporate Challenge were uniquely crafted in Pendleside’s signature purple by Burnley College, adding a personal touch to the celebration and spotlighting local talent.

Burnley College Dance Learners also provided some excellent entertainment on the night.

Louisa Mayor, head of corporate fundraising at Pendleside Hospice, said: “Each year, the dedication and generosity of companies involved in the Corporate Challenge never cease to amaze me.

"To put it into perspective, since the Corporate Challenge began in 2016, we’ve raised enough to fund up to 40 visits, per day and night, to Hospice at Home patients for an entire year, showing just how impactful this support is.

"With the commitment of local businesses, we’re able to continue providing essential care and support for patients and families in Burnley and Pendle, allowing us to keep our doors open and look toward a sustainable future.”

If you wish to get involved in the Corporate Challenge for 2025, please get in touch with Head of Corporate Fundraising, Elaine Middleton, on [email protected].