As headline sponsor of this year’s Katharine House Hospice Accumulator Challenge, we’re doing everything we can to get more teams involved. The more companies that take part, the more money we can raise for this incredible local charity.
We recently spent time with two teams who took part in last year’s challenge, Walraven and Howden Insurance, to find out what made them get involved and what they got out of the experience. Their stories are exactly what we need to show other companies that the Accumulator Challenge is something anyone can tackle.
The concept is brilliantly simple. Teams get a small amount of money to start with, then use their creativity and team spirit to turn it into as much as possible for the hospice. What they do with it is completely up to them, and that’s where it gets interesting.
Walraven’s team went down the classic fundraising route with a tuck shop, car boot sales, and a quiz night. Sometimes the tried and tested methods work best, and their combination of regular small fundraising with a bigger event was spot on. Plus, who doesn’t love a good quiz night?
Howden Insurance took a completely different approach with their virtual Land’s End to John O’Groats cycling challenge. Getting the whole team involved in a fitness challenge while raising money is exactly the kind of creative thinking the Accumulator Challenge is all about.
The beauty of the Accumulator Challenge is that there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Whether you’re a small team or a big company, whether you want to do something active or keep it simple, there’s an approach that will work for you.
We’re using these videos to show potential participants that any team can get involved and make a real difference. Katharine House Hospice does incredible work supporting families during their most difficult times, and every penny raised goes directly to helping them continue that vital service.
Both Walraven and Howden Insurance talked about how it brought their teams together and gave everyone a shared goal to work towards. In a world where remote working is increasingly common, having something that gets everyone pulling in the same direction is invaluable.
If you’re thinking about entering a team in this year’s Accumulator Challenge, just remember, it’s not about raising the most money, it’s about doing your bit for an amazing cause while having some fun with your colleagues.
We’re excited to see what creative ideas this year’s teams come up with. The challenge is open to businesses and schools, so there’s room for everyone to get involved and make a difference.
If you’d like to sign up and take part, click here.
Posted by Callum Vallance-Poole, on July 24, 2025.
