Local businesses and community groups accumulate over £25,000 for the hospice

This year’s Barnsley Hospice’s Accumulator Challenge fundraiser has raised an outstanding £25,024 for the hospice, after 20 teams were challenged to transform a £30 ‘loan’ into as much money as possible throughout the month of March.

From orange gelato and fancy dress, to hosting raffles and crafting a bespoke Barnsley Hospice-themed cocktail, teams pulled out all the stops in honour of the hospice’s 30^th anniversary year.

This latest total means the annual Accumulator Challenge fundraiser has officially raised more than £100,000 since it launched in 2018, thanks to the local businesses and community groups that take part each year.

This year’s top honours went to family initiative ‘Little and Large’s Charity Challenges’, led by Gavin Coles, who accumulated an impressive £6,727 throughout March. Their efforts included a ‘Pedal for Patients’ event, where the team completed many hours on static bikes in local supermarkets.

Gavin Coles said, “We’re thrilled to be crowned champions of the 2024 Accumulator Challenge. This victory isn’t just ours, it belongs to everyone who contributed and supported us. 

“We’re really making a difference together, and we’re proud to be part of something so important.”

The ‘Most Innovative Fundraiser’ award was given to Barnsley Tesco (Stairfoot), whose 80s inspired flash mob and other fundraising activities contributed £3,295 to the total.

Reflecting on the challenge’s success, Simon Atkinson, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Barnsley Hospice added, “The generosity and creativity demonstrated by our participants year after year continues to inspire us. Their dedication helps us to continue providing care and support to the people of Barnsley, and we cannot thank them enough.”

Among the group of participants were local community members and businesses, including Hair Revolution, Fresh Pak, Churchfield Vets, Osborn Technologies, Barnsley Bowl, Wynsor Shoes, Glitz ‘n’ Glam, Falco Lounge, Barnsley Norse, NatWest, Best Solicitors, Dolly’s Desserts, Copier Systems, Barnsley College, Veezu, and Wates.

For those who missed out on this year’s Accumulator Challenge, Barnsley Hospice offers various ways to get involved and make a difference. You can learn more about upcoming events here. To donate in support of the hospice, please click here.