Our corporate supporters have raised an incredible £42,171 by taking part in the Fylde Coast £50 Challenge.

Teams from 28 businesses across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre entered the our corporate challenge, where they were given a £50 starter fund donated by an anonymous supporter and four months to turn it into as much money as possible for local hospice care.

Victrex PLC was crowned the 2018 champion at a celebration lunch held on Friday after raising more than £10,200 through a variety of fundraising events, including a group of staff who completed the Benidorm or Bust driving rally.

Jakob Sigurdsson, CEO, said: “To speak on behalf of everyone at Victrex, we are so proud to support such a fantastic charity like Trinity Hospice.

“The last few months have really brought us all together, and we have had a lot of fun along the way.”

Second place was awarded to Blackpool Transport, where staff across the bus and tram services competed against each other to raise more than £4,600 for Brian House.

Sally Shaw, Director of People and Stakeholders, said: “Trinity Hospice and Brian House Children’s Hospice is our charity for 2018-19; we are really proud to support local charities and we are committed to raising funds for worthy causes every year.

“We are particularly pleased with the amount we have raised for this challenge. It’s a sum we would expect to raise over a whole year, so to have done so over just four months just shows how committed we are as a team.”

In third place was DWP Warbreck House which raised £3,300 for Trinity Hospice.

Case manager Kate Cox said: “This challenge has really brought the workplace together, and we’ve all had a lot of fun raising this money which we know will make a huge difference.

“We’re already looking forward to next year’s challenge.”

This challenge really showcases the amazing ideas and talents we have here on the Fylde coast, and the passion that exists to support local hospice care.

It’s always brilliant to see what a bit of healthy competition does to drive each organisation’s fundraising, but it’s even better to see everyone coming together at the end of it to celebrate how much they have all raised. This incredible amount means that we can be there for everyone who needs us, whether they are adults with a palliative condition or children with a life-limiting illness.

A huge thank you to each and every staff member of every business and organisation that took part in this year’s challenge. They’re all superheroes to us.

PICTURE BY DANIEL MARTINO