A charity is challenging teams of work colleagues across Cumbria to take part in a special fundraising quest.

Carlisle Mencap, which provides support and services for more than 500 adults and children with learning disabilities and their families across Cumbria, has just launched its £30 Accumulator Challenge.

It is urging teams of work colleagues to test their entrepreneurial skills by taking the £30 each team will be given by Carlisle Mencap and turning that into as big an amount as possible by December 31.

The fundraising initiative follows a recent open day and business breakfast at the charity’s Grace Little Centre for children, next to Kingmoor Park North business park where guest speakers Andy Beeforth OBE, chief executive of Cumbria Community Foundation, and Colin Glover, leader of Carlisle City Council, spoke about the importance to disadvantaged people – and the wider community – of businesses and charities working together in partnership.

Phil Taylor, the events and fundraising officer, said: “We have a good relationship with many companies and businesses across Cumbria.

“Andy and Colin spoke about the benefits to both the corporate sector and the third sector of philanthropy.”

The £30 Accumulator Challenge will allow teams to be creative as they like in their fundraising schemes.

Phil added: “Coming up with weird and wonderful ideas should be great fun. We will certainly be highlighting some of the more wacky ones.

“And we also plan to get the teams together one night for a special quiz where the winners will get a big cash boost to their challenge total.”

The cash raised will be used to help the charity’s work and pay for activities for the people it supports, like a recent excursion to a farm in North Yorkshire.

For more details, call Phil on 01228 674393 or email phil.taylor@carlislemencap.co.uk.