SOME of the finest business minds in Bolton are set to be given a very important challenge.

Just how much can you grow a £50 handout to ultimately benefit the crucial work carried out by Bolton Hospice?

Teams have from October 1 to New Year’s Eve to take their bank notes and make them multiply.

The Marlborough Group, sponsors of the £50 Challenge, will be distributing the seed money - then how entrants prosper is entirely up to them.

Swimming feats, bake sales, raffles and dress-down days are just some of the ideas which usually find favour with intrepid fundraisers.

But there’s no limit to what teams can turn their hands to, within the 90-day time limit.

Peter Cross, from Marlborough, said: “Bolton Hospice is close to the hearts of a few of our staff members and it seems logical that we should sponsor the £50 challenge in 2019, as we had such an amazing time taking part in it last year.

“We are truly honoured to be involved with a cause that does so much for people in the area and cannot wait to see how this year’s challenge takes off in October.”

Last year hospice bosses decided to run the challenge for three months, instead of one, for the first time.

The Cunningham family emerged victorious, raising more than £2,600 through a huge sponsored swim, a Christmas fair, jumper day and cards sale.

Several companies and organisations, including Stateside Foods, DW Future Fitness, Marlborough Fund Managers and Westhoughton High School, were also commended at their annual awards.

The Chorley New Road hospice, as an independent charity, needs to raise more than £4million each year to provide critical free healthcare and support for a number of families in the Greater Bolton area.

The hospice also relies on donations and legacies to fund their work.

For more details and to sign up to the competition, you can visit http://www.boltonhospice.org.uk/, call Kathryn Willett on 01204 663065 or email fundraising@boltonhospice.org