Staff from across the business will be taking part in a series of fundraising events and activities to raise money for a cause close to our hearts. We've joined the challenge a few weeks behind other companies taking part, so we are hitting the ground running!

The challenge invites businesses from the Burnley and Pendle area to raise as much money as possible over a four-month period. Kicking off at the start of June, it runs until the end of September. Each business is given £50 to get started. From here, they go head to head to see who can turn their £50 into the highest sum by the end of the challenge.

So far, we have raised £100 for the charity by auctioning off a ride in our company hot air balloon via eBay's charity auction site.

We have also placed donation buckets in reception areas of our Burnley and Padiham business centres, as well as handing out donation bags to all staff.

Last weekend, director John Slater completed the Manchester to Blackpool 60 mile charity bike ride to raise money for the challenge.

To go the extra mile (excuse the pun), John and two friends set off from Padiham and cycled to Manchester, before taking part in the race. After this, they cycled back home from Blackpool to Padiham - clocking up a total of 104 miles and 7 hours of cycling in the sun!

This weekend, members of the Business First head office team will be taking part in the Burnley 10k to continue our fundraising efforts. The winner of the Corporate Challenge will be announced at the beginning of October, with an event held for all participants that month. To sponsor our charity challenge and donate money to Pendleside Hospice, go to https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/businessfirst