Over £26,000 Raised in Hospice Accumulator Challenge

St Leonard’s Hospice held its first ever Zoom awards ceremony on Wednesday 31st March, to celebrate the achievements of 17 local organisations and individuals who took part in its Accumulator Challenge 2020; raising a total of £26,222.98.

The popular month-long challenge took place during March last year, with the last week coinciding with the first week of the national lockdown. Teams were given an initial loan of £35, to mark St Leonard’s 35th anniversary year, and tasked with raising as much additional money as possible through a series of fundraising initiatives.

The Junior Board @ The Grand Hotel was crowned overall winner, raising an amazing £9,315.26 – the largest amount raised by any team since the first Hospice Accumulator Challenge in 2016. The Marriot York’s Lenny’s Ladies came second, raising £4,654.04, and Ambiente Tapas took third place with its fundraising total of £2,727.52.

There were also two additional awards, voted for by everyone who took part in the challenge. Team Vangarde won The Innovation Award for its inclusion of The Blueberry Academy, while Charles Storr from Make It York Money Makers, was chosen for the Best Team Member Award for baking loaves every week and even having his own YouTube channel.

The other organisations and individuals who took part were: Selby High School, Jeff’s Design Shop & Friends, Team Vangarde, Make It York Money Makers, Crow Recruitment & Sons, Trustmarque (the IT Team), Tesco Askham Bar, Ben Fry, Boxxe, Ainsty Ales, Team St Leonard’s, Ryedale Auction House, BPDTS Ltd and York Van Centre.

Annie Keogh, corporate fundraiser at St Leonard’s Hospice, said: “We want to thank all the teams that took part during such a challenging time. Over 100 fundraising activities took place during the challenge period ranging from a chilli feeding frenzy, craft fair and cyclathon to a pamper night and poker tournament! We’ve been really impressed, not only

by the variety of fundraising initiatives that took place, but also the fantastic teamwork and community spirit, even during the start of lockdown!

“We are absolutely thrilled with the total amount raised. Overall, in the five years that the Accumulator Challenge has been running, it has raised almost £100,000, providing much needed funds to support the patients and families in our care.”

Sue Copland, Director of Finance at The Grand and Chair of the Junior Board, added: “It’s fantastic that our team has been crowned overall winners of the Accumulator Challenge 2020. The Junior Board is an initiative we run to develop junior members of the team, who have the potential to be future leaders at the hotel. They approached this challenge with such enthusiasm, organising a whole host of fundraising events including a brilliant Devil’s Kitchen in The Cookery School @ The Grand. We are so proud of the team for raising over £9,000 for such a worthy charity.”

The Hospice is already planning its Accumulator Challenge 2021, with a new twist. To register your interest, or for more information on how you or your organisation can support St Leonard’s Hospice, email fundraising@stleonardshospice.org.uk or call 01904 777 777.