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Fundraising competition takes its cues from reality TV
14.10.2008

Millionaire entrepreneurs have thrown their support behind a competition which will see 25 teams try to develop the most effective fundraising initiative from a £1,000 start-up investment.

Cambridgeshire-based disability charity Papworth Trust has launched its Grand Challenge, an Apprentice-like competition involving teams from companies such as law firm Taylor Vinters and engineering company Marshall Aerospace as well as independently-formed groups.

The teams will compete against one another over a period stretching from 1 October to 31 December this year to raise the most amount of money from a starting point of £1,000, provided at the outset by each team.

Former Dragon?s Den ?dragon? Doug Richards, 2007 BBC Apprentice winner Simon Ambrose and Cobra Beer founder Lord Karan Bilimoria will sit on the judging panel.

Winners of the competition will be announced early next year. The outright winner will be judged on the amount of funds raised, but other awards in other categories ? such as most innovative campaign ? will be handed out too.

This year is the first time the Trust has embarked on the challenge, but, if successful, it will repeat it in coming years.

Christine Berry from Taylor Vinters said: ?We have had tremendous interest and are running a competition for staff at Taylor Vinters to pitch their ideas for the Grand Challenge to a panel of partners and will be backing what we feel is the best idea with the start-up kitty.?

Celina Ribeiro, Professional Fundraising 8 October 2008

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