Accumulator Challenge winners announced!
Last night saw companies from across York come together to find out who had won the coveted crown of Accumulator Challenge Winner 2022, at an awards ceremony held at The Marriott Hotel.
Eight teams took part in the 30-day challenge where participants were given £30 to use their entrepreneurial skills to make as much money as they could. Bagging the winning title – for the second year running – was The Grand Hotel which raised an amazing £8,515.93. The team took part in all sorts of activities to raise the cash including adding a special St Leonard’s Hospice cocktail to their menu.
Altogether the teams raised almost £21,000 for the local charity. Anne Keogh, Community Fundraiser at St Leonard’s Hospice, who supported the teams in their challenge, said:
“The teams got really stuck into the challenge, coming up with lots of ways to coin it in. We’ve been really impressed, not only by the variety of fundraising initiatives that took place but also by the fantastic teamwork and community spirit that we have seen. It was a very emotional 30 days for some as they have undertaken challenges in memory of a loved one. A huge thank you to everyone who took part – they have raised way more than we could have hoped for.”
The second-place team was The Red Lion Pub in Knapton which raised £4,047.98. One courageous employee completed a Skydive in memory of her mum, who died in the Hospice.
The team also won a special award for ‘Most Inclusive Team’ because of how they brought the community of Knapton together in their fundraising activities.
Some teams took on physical activities to raise cash. A spokesperson from Mosaic Fulfilment Solutions, who came third-place raising £2,051.83, said:
“Ella walked a marathon in memory of her mum, who had volunteered at St Leonard’s after she retired. Carol and Ella walked 28.341 miles from York to Selby and back with two other staff members, Kate and Martin. This was challenging physically and emotionally – especially when we passed the Hospice all lit up as the sun was setting. We were literally almost crawling back to the starting point where we’d parked our cars!”
The ‘Most Innovative Team’ award went to York Gin and the ‘Individual Achievement Award’ – voted by all teams on the night, went to Elise Richards from The Red Lion for courageously completing a Skydive in memory of her mum, who was cared for by the Hospice.
Other teams taking part were Jeff’s Design Shop, which raised £2,017, The Marriott Hotel, York Vanguarde, and Ainsty Ales.
A spokesperson from York Gin said:
“We chose St Leonard’s as a charity partner because the Hospice has touched so many of our lives in a very positive way. Quite simply we love St Leonard’s!
We did lots of events and activities including: 198.5-mile bike ride in the York Gin shop to celebrate the year St Leonard’s was established. It was on an exercise bike rather than a real bike! We’ve been asking if customers would like to add £1 to their bill in the shop and online. We also ran a party weekend in the shop with raffle prizes and lotS more. Our lovely Jo and Susannah hosted a series of popular online gin quizzes during the first lockdown and they agreed to do a quiz in real life to raise money. And our lovely Flo and Adam wrote an original fundraising song ‘Gin It To Win It’ to keep morale going and entertain everyone.”
Julie Dale, Senior Sister for St Leonard’s Hospice@Home team attended the event to thank the participants for all their efforts and talk about the work of the Hospice in the community.
