ST Clare Hospice is calling on their local businesses across West Essex and East Hertfordshire to put their entrepreneurial skills and business acumen to the test by taking up the St Clare ‘£50 Challenge’.

The Hastingwood-based Hospice is once again running the annual fundraising investment initiative which sees local businesses compete to grow their £50 seed funding stake into as healthy a profit as possible for the charity. New for 2017, the St Clare £50 Challenge will invite local schools to participate for the first time – with some businesses getting the opportunity to mentor local students and assist the pupils in growing their own investments.

St Clare Hospice’s Corporate Partnerships Manager, Amy Jacobs, who is co-ordinating the 12 week challenge said: “We are inviting all our local businesses and entrepreneurs – whether you have worked with us before or not – to put your money-making skills to the test by signing up for our popular fundraising investment initiative. Whether you are a small or big local business, you can help St Clare to invest in the compassionate care we provide to local people by taking part in our £50 challenge this Spring!”

Amy Jacobs continued: “We can provide you with £50 to get you started, and then it is over to you to use your business acumen and innovation skills to grow that seed funding into a healthy profit for the Hospice over 12 weeks – from the start of April 2017 to the end of June. From Saffron Walden, down to Buckhurst Hill, we want all our local businesses to get their game-face on and compete to raise as much as possible for their local Hospice. The winning businesses will be celebrated at our £50 Challenge awards ceremony in 2018, as well as getting their business in the spotlight for a very good cause.”

Running from Monday 3 April to Friday 30 June, the 2017 £50 Challenge is open to all local businesses across West Essex and East Hertfordshire including Bishop’s Stortford.

Commenting on the schools’ £50 Challenge, Amy Jacobs said: “The introduction of a separate schools’ challenge for 2017 is a very exciting opportunity – enabling our local businesses and schools to work together on a joint venture. Our Youth Social Action challenge ties in with the Government’s agenda to encourage young people to get involved in social action, as well as developing their skills in business. We will be inviting groups from participating companies to mentor a group of students in a local school as they take on their own £50 investment challenge from September to December 2017. ”

Highlighting the business benefits of the challenge, Amy Jacobs, said: “Taking part is not only a great way to involve your employees and clients in a fun and enterprising initiative in aid of a cause they care about, but can benefit your business too. The challenge will give you the potential to increase awareness of your business by linking with a well-respected local charity, the opportunity to fulfil your CSR objectives, and the chance to motivate your team, boost staff morale through charitable activities and improve staff retention by potentially engaging your employees in skills-based volunteering with young people.”

The £50 Youth Social Action Challenge will run from Monday 4 September to Friday 15 December. St Clare Hospice will be brokering the mentoring opportunities between businesses and schools. Due to the high demand expected, schools’ partnerships will be allocated to businesses on a first come, first served basis.

For more information about the £50 Challenge please contact St Clare Corporate Partnerships Manager, Amy Jacobs on 01279 773758 or [email protected]