Grand Challenge winners announced

Teams from across Cambridgeshire have been awarded for their efforts in the Grand Challenge, the Apprentice style fundraising competition from Papworth Trust. Winners were announced at an awards ceremony last night (Thursday 19 March).

20 teams took part in the competition including local businesses; Marshall of Cambridge, Hill Partnership and Taylor Vinters Solicitors. Teams from local schools also entered to raise money including The Perse School and Melbourn Village College. A range of activities were planned from charity music gigs and talent shows, to indulgence days and producing and selling waterproof bike seat covers. An impressive £66,000.00 was raised overall, beating the target of £50,000.00.

BBC Apprentice 2007 winner, Simon Ambrose who helped judge the Grand Challenge says: "I’m delighted and proud that my own experience on The Apprentice helped inspire such a great idea to support such a worthwhile cause.” The awards ceremony, hosted by Bob Satchwell, Executive Director, Society of Editors, gave recognition of the teams’ efforts in creating and carrying out their own fundraising initiatives.

Contestants were recognised for a range of awards including; The Innovation Award, and The Outstanding Individual Award. Additional awards were presented by Shailendra Vyakarnam PhD MBA, Director for the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning, University of Cambridge and Walter Herriot OBE, Managing Director of St John’s Innovation Centre Limited.

The Grand Challenge inspired teams of between three and six people, to provide a budget, of up to £1,000, to devise, plan and complete the most successful fundraising initiative for Papworth Trust. A real challenge, in challenging times. For more information on the winners of the Grand Challenge, visit www.papworth.org.uk/thegrandchallenge.

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Notes to Editors

About Papworth Trust:
Each year Papworth Trust helps over 13,000 disabled people in the East of England and the UK through a wide range of services covering employment, vocational rehabilitation, housing and community support.

In using the term “disabled” we mean anyone who has a long-term health issue, learning difficulty, physical disability, sensory impairment, mental health issue or a combination of these or other impairments. We also mean anyone of any age.

The Trust also works with the Government, employers, service providers and commissioners to promote disability equality and good practice.

For further information and media opportunities, please contact:
Kerry Atkinson, E-Communications Executive, Papworth Trust
T: 01480 357263
E: kerry.atkinson@papworth.org.uk

Papworth Trust
Bernard Sunley Centre
Papworth Everard
Cambridge
CB23 3RG

T: 01480 357200
F: 01480 357201
E: info@papworth.org.uk
Helpdesk: 0800 952 5000
www.papworth.org.uk
www.papworth.org.uk/jobs.php

Charity no. 211234

Please note that The Papworth Trust is an independent disability charity and is unconnected with the Papworth Hospital NHS Trust.