Business brains are being challenged to turn £50 into much more to help a charity supporting people will terminal and life-limiting illnesses.

ellenor’s Accumulator Challenge hopes to see firms turn the money into a much larger pot of cash.

The initial £50 investment has been donated by councillor David Elliott, the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, who chose ellenor as his charity of the year.

Director of fundraising Rachel Holweger said: “We are so thankful to Cllr Elliott for supporting this initiative and investing a little of the amazing £25,000 he raised for us over the year to make even more funds to support families facing illness.

“He is creating a lasting legacy for ellenor from his year in office – which is an amazing thing to do.”

The initiative was unveiled at a gathering of ellenor Business Club – which saw a number of businesses sign up on the spot, including Matthew Sankey, owner of Sankey’s in Tunbridge Wells, where the meeting took place, Handelsbanken, Berwick Devoil Healthcare Limited (BDHL), Climbing Goats, CooperBurnett and Baxall Construction.

If those six manage to double their money, the resulting £300 could pay for 10 sessions of play therapy for one of the charity’s young patients or their siblings.

Sarah Burton, mother of two-year-old Finley, one of ellenor’s patients, said play therapy has benefited his brother Alfie.

She said: “Throughout this Alfie has been fantastic, but he’s only six now and he needs his mum and dad too.

“It’s been a lot for him to deal with. Play therapy has really helped him and we’ve both had counselling. The first year was awful – neither of us slept – so that extra support was just what we needed.

“Without ellenor our lives would be lonely and a lot more stressful.”

The ellenor Accumulator Challenge begins on July 11 and will run for three months.

Business will be supported to come up with creative fundraising ideas throughout the challenge by ellenor and an awards ceremony will be held at the end.

To get involved, call Kate Barnes on 01474 320007 ext 1119 or email kate.barnes@ellenor.org

ellenor also marked Volunteers’ Week by thanking the 600 volunteers who support the charity.

Some have also been recognised with a number of awards. Pat Allen, who has volunteered for ellenor for 14 years, was honoured with a coveted Order of Mercy while Dinah Williams, from Eynesford, has been short-listed in the Perrys Exceptional Awards (Exceptional Individual).

Dinah became involved with ellenor 16 years ago, when the charity cared for her husband Harry, who died at ellenor Gravesend in December 2000.

ellenor is looking for volunteers of all ages and with a variety of skills to help across the whole organisation.

Roles are available within fundraising/events, administrative/clerical, retail, driving (minibus or own car), bereavement support and befriending, helping at youth group activities and outings.

To find out more call 01474 320007 or visit www.ellenor.org/volunteering-opportunities.