Call for firms to join our Accumulator Challenge battle

Businesses across West Suffolk and Thetford are being invited to battle it out in St Nicholas Hospice Care’s annual Jacobs Allen Accumulator Challenge.

Last year more than 39 businesses pitted against each other to spend three months turning £50 into as much money as possible to be crowned corporate champion.

ASDA Bury St Edmunds took home the coveted top prize after raising £5,685, while overall the event raised £38,672.

This year’s three-month battle hopes to see even more as businesses going head-to-head. Firms already signed up to the challenge, which is supported by the Mercury and East Anglian Daily Times, include The Playground, Atkins Thomson, Green Duck, Box-It, Sports Direct Fitness and The Coffee House.

Nick Smith, of The Playground, is taking part in the challenge for the second time this year. He said: “I hope that by joining forces with my brother Phil we will have a greater chance of raising more and blowing everyone else out of the water.

“It was really exciting taking part last year, as well as being very rewarding raising money for an amazing cause.”

Laura King, of Atkins Thomson solicitors, said: “In 2015 we did a trade it up campaign, starting with a paper clip and ending up with a holiday.

“We don’t want to give away too much of our plans for 2016, but we are hoping to beat last year and we want to win it. We have to beat all the other solicitors taking part, there’s no question about it.”

The £50 notes – donated by sponsors Jacobs Allen chartered accountants and chartered tax advisers – will be given to each registered company at a launch evening on 15 June.

Sheila Burke, director at sponsors Jacobs Allen, said: “We are happy to support the Accumulator Challenge because it’s all about getting the local business community together to do good for the sake of the wider community. It is about local businesses co-operating with each other and supporting the great work that the Hospice does. It is about businesses showing their social responsibility and engaging their staff and customers. It’s also about bringing those people together to raise money for the Hospice and raise the profile of their business at the same time.”

Thady Senior, Jacobs Allen Marketing Manager, said: “Taking part in the Accumulator Challenge is not just good for you and good for your business, but it is good for the Hospice as well. It is a great thing to be a part of.”

Prizes will be handed out at the end of the challenge, in September, with categories including most motivated team, marketing award, community award and most amount of money raised.

Rachel Card, Hospice Corporate Fundraiser, said: “I love the Jacobs Allen Accumulator Challenge as it offers businesses excellent networking opportunities and encourages great teamwork and entrepreneurship. It’s also a brilliant way for companies to meet their corporate social responsibility.

“Since it started in 2010 the challenge has raised £274,382, so I have high hopes that this year we will break the £300,000-mark.”

For more information or to register, contact Rachel on 01284 715560 or email rachel.card@stnh.org.uk