Vancouver Quarter business challenge rewards two West Norfolk charities

Hundreds of pounds has been donated to two West Norfolk charities as businesses around King’s Lynn gear up to take part in a series of challenges this year.

​Scotty’s Little Soldiers and The Lisa Wiles Red Wellies Brain Tumour Support Fund both received £200 from the Vancouver Quarter after the shopping centre pledged to make a donation to the charity chosen by the winners of the 2015 business challenge series, which were Ward Gethin Archer and Primark.

The King’s Lynn businesses have both signed up to take part in the 2016 series and are looking forward to the first challenge of pancake racing on Tuesday, February 9. The other business challenges this year include egg and spoon racing in March, beat the goalie in June and a mystery challenge in September.

Abbie Panks, Vancouver Quarter centre manager, said: “We started the business challenges in 2013 as a way for, not only businesses in the Vancouver Quarter to get out and spend a little time with their neighbouring retailers, but also other retailers and businesses in the wider area.. As a retailer it’s often difficult to get out during the day, but these short challenges have offered entertainment as well as the chance to talk to one another and of course help raise money for great local charities.”

She added: “We’re really looking forward to our challenges this year and hope businesses interested in taking part get in touch as soon as possible to secure one of the 10 available spaces.”

Ward Gethin Archer chose Scotty’s Little Soldiers as their charity of the year in 2015 and also raised money for charity by holding an office Christmas Jumper day on Christmas eve.

In addition to what has been donated by staff over the last year, the directors of Ward Gethin Archer are also making a donation of £1,000 to the charity.

Chris Dewey, managing director at Ward Gethin Archer, said: “Ward Gethin Archer is delighted to be associated with Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a locally based charity that continues to carry out fantastic work that really makes a difference.”

Nikki Scott, founder of Scotty’s Little Soldiers, based on Bergen Way, King’s Lynn, added: “It is fantastic that Ward Gethin Archer chose Scotty’s Little Soldiers and it means a lot to us that local businesses are supporting the charity.

“Ward Gethin Archer were raising money for Scotty’s all last year so it was lovely that I had the chance to come along on Monday and accept this cheque with them.

“I would also like to say a huge thank you to the Vancouver Quarter for donating the money and for coming up with such a great idea and, of course, a massive thank you to everyone at Ward Gethin Archer.”

Sam Brooker, store manager at Primark, said her team is really looking forward to this year’s challenges and can’t wait until pancake racing next month. She continued: “It was great fun taking part in the challenges organised by the Vancouver Quarter last year and we’re delighted to have been able to raise money for The Lisa Wiles Red Wellies Brain Tumour Support Fund.”

Mervyn Wiles, from Red Wellies, based in Middleton, added: “On behalf of Red Wellies, my most grateful thanks to Abbie Panks and David Blackmore at the Vancouver Quarter and also to Sam Brooker, manager at Primark, for their most welcome support”.

Any businesses interested in taking part in this year’s business challenges are being encouraged to email [email protected] as soon as possible to secure one of the 10 available spaces.