Local schools and businesses rose to the challenge and smashed expectations when they took part in Katharine House’s relaunched Accumulator Challenge. 

Teams were given £50 in October to kickstart their fundraising and had four months to raise as much money as they could. 

Eleven groups took part, accumulating funds through a whole range of creative activities, including a pumpkin carving competition, quiz night, pop up clothes shop, bingo and bake sales, raising a staggering £31,084.19. 

The campaign ended with a special awards ceremony on Thursday 7 March, which celebrated everyone involved. Bloxham Mill hosted the event for free and provided refreshments, with Morrisons and the Coop on Ruscote Avenue donating some nibbles.  

Graf UK took home the coveted Ultimate Accumulator Award by smashing the title previously held by Dematic for most amount ever raised in an accumulator challenge. Their activities started with a quiz night and culminated in a 344-mile sponsored row with many fundraising activities in between. Over the four months, the team raised an incredible £15,305.04.

Caroline Cares for You used their seed money to buy a sum-up machine (to collect digital donations) as well as materials for their craft fair and expenses for their quiz night, helping them secure the Community Award for reaching the most people in the wider community.

 

Students from Hanwell Fields Community School were handed the Creativity Award for their imaginative efforts to raise money with their Break the Rules day, hot chocolate stall and bingo night. 

And Kineton High School picked up the commendable Sustainability Award for their environmentally friendly Christmas market stalls, where gifts on offer included decorations made from old library books and wood from Xmas Trees, tinsel made from old rags and snowmen made from old white socks. 

Graf UK’s Callum Vallance-Poole said: “In the face of a challenge, Graf UK's team rallied not just to meet expectations but to set a new standard for what a passionate, community-driven effort can achieve. Raising over £15,000 is a testament to our team's dedication and the generous spirit of all involved. We're proud to contribute significantly to the hospice's mission, and this accomplishment reflects our core values of sustainability and community engagement. Taking home the 'Ultimate Accumulator' title is a cherry on top of the rewarding work we've done together for a cause that resonates deeply with all of us.”

A huge thank you and congratulations to the other teams that took part: Howden Insurance, UTC Oxfordshire, DHL – Cherwell Site 2, SE Solicitors, Banbury Chamber of Commerce, Sibford School and The Warriner School.

The popular Accumulator Challenge, originally organised by Karcher, has now raised more than £116,000 for Katharine House. This year, the campaign was sponsored by the Banbury and District Chamber of Commerce, who also took part in the challenge.

Katharine House has now opened applications for the 2024/25 Accumulator Challenge and early entries can benefit from a £75 seed fund. To take part in this fun and creative initiative, please click on the button below.

Join the 2024/25 Accumulator Challenge