ENTREPRENEURS are needed to sign up to a unique challenge to raise hundreds of pounds for the charity Sue Ryder.

The Big Wigs challenge gives £50 to participating businesses or individuals and asks them to invest it and return it with as much interest as possible in just four months.

Participants will not only have the pleasure of helping to fund care and support for people living with serious illnesses and conditions, but will also have the chance of being crowned the South West Charity Entrepreneur of the Year.

Last year’s winner Mark Nutter, managing director of Swindon-based software developer Isys Group Ltd, generated the most interest – more than £17,000 – by trading in oil on the futures market.

“The reason for doing it is firstly to raise money for a good cause and secondly because it’s different from other charity fundraising events,” said the 39-year-old.

“You have got to take this £50 note you are given and do something entrepreneurial with it, whether it’s making cakes and selling them, or something else.”

Mark, whose firm is based in Churchward House at the Railway Village, hopes to take part again this year, this time involving more of his colleagues, and is calling on other local business to take part.

“It would be good for local companies to interact with each other and collectively do something good.

“So hopefully there will be three or four companies, hopefully more, which might get involved from the Swindon area.”

This year’s challenge takes place from October 2011 until January 2012 and the charity is trying to sign up as many participants as possible.

Sue Ryder fundraiser Samantha Boardman said: “We are not telling anyone what to do with the money, we just want teams or individuals within local organizations to think of an ingenious way to make the money grow and give it back to Sue Ryder with substantial interest.

“Last year we raised over £46,000 with just 15 teams, this year we want you to help us reach our goal of £60,000.

“Not only do you support a charity raise vital funds but Big Wigs is a fantastic team building tool for any business.

“By taking part people will help us raise vital funds for those being cared for in our hospices and neurological centres with life limiting conditions.”

For more information or to sign up, call 01179 293 618 or email samantha.boardman@sueryder.org