Local businesses took up the gauntlet and proved their worth as they battled it out to raise £43,664.62 for a local hospice.

The Jacobs Allen Accumulator Challenge saw 60 firms given £50 in June with three months to turn it into as much as possible for St Nicholas Hospice Care.

On October 5, representatives from each team celebrated their success by attending a night at Boxted Hall, where they learnt their competitive efforts had raised a staggering £43,664.62 – beating last year's total of £38,672.

Kevin Clements, hospice director of fundraising and marketing, said: 'Over the last six years the Accumulator Challenge has become such an important event, not only because it raises a lot of money, but because it brings the community together.

'If it wasn't for people who fundraise for our hospice and events like the Accumulator Challenge there would not be a St Nicholas Hospice Care. We are so grateful for the support we receive which really makes a huge difference to the people we help and their loved ones.

'In its first six years the Accumulator Challenge has raised £235,000. That amount of money could pay for six specialist nurses for a year who would help hundreds of patients across West Suffolk and Thetford.'

Kevin thanked the Jacobs Allen team for sponsoring the event, now in its seventh year, and all those who took part.

The top prize for the most amount of money raised was won by Green Duck, who raised an impressive £6,101.97.

The Green Duck team threw themselves into the challenge by arranging a charity golf day, plus events for staff, such as tuck shops and a day-off raffle.

The Marketing Award, to commend the business that best marketed its fundraising activities, was presented to Lucy Cronin and the 365Motivate Team, who raised their funds by completing 874 miles in exercise which is the distance from Land's End to John O'Groats.

The Community Award, for the business judges felt involved the community and demonstrated the essence of community spirit, went to the Coffee House, who organised the Open Gardens of Moreton Hall.

The Ensors team picked up the award for Best Teamwork, for its 14 members of staff who completed sky dives.

The Most Creative Idea award went to the Arc Shopping Centre and Tool Box Marketing, who organised a Glow in the Arc event and Clubbercise session.

The final award – Most Entrepreneurial Strategy - was won by Audrey Hyde-Chambers from Hyde-Chambers Funeral Services, who bought and sold a number of items as well as visiting car boot sales to top up her total.

With the calibre extremely high this year two extra awards were also presented.

Claire Brooks, managing director of Box-it East, received the Going the Extra Mile Award for her continued efforts and the team from Atkins Thomson were recognised for their fabulous fundraising which saw £2,000 raised in just three weeks.

Rachel Card, Hospice Corporate Fundraiser, said: 'Everyone who has taken part has been absolutely fantastic and the efforts they have put in over the summer and the funds raised have blown me away. They will make a huge difference to our Hospice and the people we help across the community.'