BUSINESSES in South Gloucestershire and Bristol competed to raise the most money for Bristol’s only adult hospice.

Twelve local businesses raised almost £9,000 for St Peter’s Hospice which will go toward supporting patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

The businesses, including Doubletree by Hilton and Almondsbury Garden Centre, employed different ways to turn £50 they were given into more money as part of a 10-week Accumulator challenge.

Some organisations held raffles and cake sales for the cause, and staff at Doubletree Hilton took on a lunchtime triathlon contest.

The winning team was an independent postal service Onepost, based in Portishead, which raised £1586.20 using a variety of methods. One of which included a static bike ride in their foyer during which they cycled the distance between Portishead and Paris.

St Peter’s Hospice corporate fundraiser, Caroline Booth-Morris, said: “We are delighted with the results of our first ever Accumulator Challenge which raised a fantastic amount in just 10 weeks.

“The businesses that took part did a great job of running and marketing their own fundraisers, and we’re so grateful for the time and effort they put in.

“We’re already looking forward to this year’s challenge and hope that even more businesses come forward and invent even more imaginative ways to raise funds for the hospice.”

Charlotte Weaver of Onepost said: “St Peter’s Hospice cared for my aunt in 2016 and I was so impressed with the incredible care given to her and the family.

“My colleague Iain Followell’s grandad was also cared for by the hospice so there was a strong personal connection for us as well as the desire to help a local cause.”

St Peter’s Hospice provide free care for more than 2,670 patients each year as well as supporting family members.

In order to continue providing vital care for the people of Bristol and surrounding districts the hospice relies on donations from fundraising and money generated by the 50 hospice charity shops in the region.

To find out more about St Peter’s Hospice visit www.stpetershospice.org.