Minster Law wins second place in fundraising challenge

Minster Law’s fundraising team has taken second place in the Accumulator Challenge after a month of fundraising for St Leonard’s Hospice. Stephanie Jackson, Emily Mayes, Clare Smeaton, Patrick Musgrave, Marc Massey and Joni Southall beat the ambitious target of £2,500 they set themselves at the start of February by raising a total of £2,555.87 for the worthwhile cause. In addition, Minster Law has pledged to match the funds raised, which means the team will now be donating a final total of £5,011.74 to the York-based hospice.

The Accumulator Challenge has been an innovative way to raise vital funds for St Leonard’s Hospice, which provides specialist palliative care and support for local people with life limiting illnesses. Fundraising teams in the York region were provided with a loan of £30 at the start of February, and the challenge was for them to auction, fundraise, invest, run and organise their way to the biggest ‘profit’ in 30 days. The hospice receives some government funding but most of the running costs are raised through fundraising – they rely heavily on the generosity of the public to help raise the £4.85 million it costs to run each year.

Since the start of the challenge on 1 February, the Minster Law team staged a number of fundraising activities in order to keep the initial investment growing. From bake sales and raffles to a silent auction and an exclusive event at York Dungeon, Minster Law colleagues, friends and family continued to donate and show their support throughout the month.

The team at Minster Law were congratulated for their fundraising efforts during a special Accumulator Challenge Awards Ceremony earlier this month, and were granted second place after winners, York College. In addition, Minster Law’s Stephanie Jackson won the Individual Achievement Award, which was voted for by all of the participating teams on the night.

Speaking on behalf of Minster Law’s fundraising team, Joni Southall said: “We’re thrilled to have been awarded second place, although our main priority throughout the month was always to raise as much money as possible in support of St Leonard’s Hospice. We’re all really proud to have beaten our initial fundraising target.”

Corporate Fundraiser Annie Keogh said on behalf of St Leonard’s Hospice: “It’s great that Minster Law signed up for our 2017 Accumulator Challenge. They have done a great job accumulating so much with the £30 loan, they should be really proud of what they have achieved! The Individual Achievement Award is a really special award as it is voted for by fellow participants, so well done to Stephanie. Thank you so much for supporting us, your achievement has made a difference.”

Minster Law Managing Director, Michael Warren, added: “Supporting our local community and the many worthwhile causes in the area is really important to us at Minster Law, which is why we wanted to match the funds raised. Taking part in the Accumulator Challenge has been a great way to raise money for a charity that is particularly close to many of our hearts.”