A Grand Pier team which won Weston Hospicecare’s inaugural It’s A Hospice Knockout in September 2018 and has confirmed it will return to defend its crown.

The charity event will see teams of 6-10 take on a series of challenges and games to score points in direct competition with each other and all proceeds will go towards supporting care for those with life-limiting conditions.

This year, It’s A Hospice Knockout, complete with inflatables and foam pits, will take place at Weston Cricket Club on Sunday 14 July.

Team captain Hollie Otley, who is the pier’s events manager and was part of the 2018 winning team, says they are eager to return.

She says: “We all thoroughly enjoyed the event last year. It was great fun, the sun was shining, the atmosphere was buzzing, and the fact that we won was the icing on the cake.

“We hadn’t trained, and had no idea what to expect, however it turns out a little determination and competitiveness goes a long way.

“As soon as the date was announced for this year’s event, we didn’t have to think twice about contending again to defend our title as the reigning champions of It’s A Hospice Knockout!

“We have everything to lose this year so of course we will be cranking up our competitive gears a notch and putting up a good fight to ensure we take the trophy home again.

“I felt the event really helped bring people together from the community and I would highly recommend this as a brilliant team-building exercise. The support we had on the day was overwhelming!”

“The Grand Pier is proud to support the hospice and all the good work they do for the local community. Plus they make it so easy to do so with such fun events to get involved with.

“The hospice is an essential part of the community, and the work they do for patients and their families is admirable. When someone you love is facing a life-limiting illness, you want to ensure they have the very best care they need, and we want to support the hospice in their fundraising activities to ensure the service they provide continues in Weston.

It costs £100 per team of 6-10 to enter and teams are encouraged to raise at least £500 (the equivalent of £50 per person) in sponsorship.

Teams who are ready to register to take part can visit westonhospicecare.org.uk/knockout for more information about the event and how to sign up.

Community support is vital to Weston Hospicecare who must raise 80% of its £4.2million annual running costs through revenue generated in shops, kind-hearted donations and fundraising events such as It’s A Hospice Knockout.