Teams from local schools, colleges, community groups and businesses have been presented with awards by Katharine House Hospice and Kärcher UK following the annual Kärcher Accumulator Challenge.

The 18 teams raised £16,967 between them, which is the most raised in the five-year history of the challenge. Every fortnight Katharine House’s community nurses make 75 patient visits and 414 phone calls and emails - just one example of what the hard work of the teams could support.

Local firm Kärcher have been committed supporters of the hospice for many years, and this is the fifth time they've run the Challenge. They give £50 to each team, which then uses the money to fund activities or buy products which will make more money for Katharine House.

Teams from across the community came up with some great ideas to make the most profit, with activities ranging from Christmas fairs, Scalextric racing competitions, a sausage roll and doughnut morning, and Bargain Hunt-inspired buying and selling of antiques.

A team from Adderbury-based Dematic raised more than £4,800 – the most raised by a single team in the history of the Challenge. Among the other winners on the night were Hanwell Fields Community School, who scooped the prize for Most Creative Primary School. Head Teacher Mrs Paget-Wall Collins said:

“We are delighted that our Hanwell Fields Community have been successful again in receiving the award for the ‘Most Creative School’. We are proud of our pupils being such active citizens and their desire to raise money for local charities, like Katharine House Hospice.  It is of great recognition that we are seen and rewarded for our creativity as we are proud of our ethos to enrich, educate and equip our pupils”. 

Laura Horton, Major Partnerships and Philanthropy Manager at the Hospice said; "We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part. The Accumulator Challenge is a great way for students, businesses and community groups to get involved and use their creative skills to make a real difference to people facing life-limiting illnesses. Turning that initial £50 in to hundreds and even thousands of pounds is a huge task, and we've been blown away by the enthusiasm and entrepreneurship of the teams. We'd also like to extend a big thank you to everyone at Kärcher, who continue to help us support patients and their families in our hospice, in the hospital, and out in the community."

The Kärcher Accumulator Challenge will return in the summer of 2019. For more information, or to register your interest, please call Laura Horton 01295 816494, or email [email protected].