Sheffield Forgemasters back Master Cutler’s Challenge

Sheffield Forgemasters has sponsored the 2014 Master Cutler’s Challenge providing the highest level of starting funds for contestants to date and helping to position next year’s event as the biggest in its history.

The 200-year-old engineering giant, whose chairman Tony Pedder was installed as Sheffield’s latest Master Cutler in October this year, has provided £20,000 of funding for the event.

Each team signing up for the challenge will be given £100, the largest amount ever available for contestants, to use their own innovative business, entrepreneurial and fundraising skills to generate money for the Master Cutler’s charitable causes.

This year, Mr Pedder has chosen Whirlow Hall Farm Trust, where he is chairman, and Sheffield Hospitals Charity which supports the Jessop Wing neonatal intensive care and maternity hospital at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, as his two charities for his year in office.

Leading the drive to generate funds via the challenge, Tony, who is also chairman of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, said: “I am grateful to Sheffield Forgemasters for its generous donation which offers next year’s contestants a healthy £100 starting amount.

“The challenge follows a tested format and I am hoping in my year of office to encourage more businesses than ever to join in this initiative for my two chosen causes.

“We aim to attract a range of companies from across the region, small to large, to enter into the spirit of the challenge and to enjoy watching the variety of crazy events and innovative challenges that take place. Previously the challenge has united large numbers of companies and their workforce and friends and all with one aim - to raise money for local good causes and help boost their profile within our community.”

After being selected as one of the charities to benefit from this year’s challenge, David Reynolds, Director at Sheffield Hospitals Charity, said: “Being involved in the challenge will provide a great opportunity for us to let more people know about how we make life better for patients. It will also generate vital funding for the Jessop Wing, so that every parent and their baby continues to receive the highest level of care possible.”

Sarah Kerrigan, Head of Fundraising and Events at Whirlow Hall Farm Trust said “We are delighted to have been chosen to benefit from the challenge this year. Our fundraising team may be small but we have big hopes and ideas for the challenge and are excited to share these with the teams who sign up. Being given a platform on such an inspirational stage will give us a fantastic opportunity to spread the word about the farm and the unique opportunities we provide”

The Master Cutler’s Challenge, which will be officially launched in February, is now one of the largest annual fundraising events in the region. Since it started in 2008, the challenge has inspired more than 500 companies to raise more than £500,000 for local good causes. Last year’s event raised £167,000 for The Children’s Hospital Charity.