Suffolk businesses went head to head at an exciting rounders competition on Wednesday (20^th July 2011), raising over £2,000 for two local charities in the process.

Thirteen businesses from across the county stepped up to bat for their chance to be crowned the champions of the first Baker Tilly Charity Rounders Championship in aid of The Suffolk Foundation and St Nicholas Hospice.

Fuelled by burgers from Scoff & Nosh, the teams took to the pitch at the British Sugar Sports and Social Club in Bury St Edmunds to field, bat and run their way to victory. After a series of knock out innings the final game came down to Pure Resourcing Solutions versus Ensors Bury St Edmunds, with Pure Resourcing Solutions running home with the overall victory.

Gemma Brown and Abi Ryding, co-organisers of the event from Baker Tilly, said: “We are always keen to find new ways to raise money for worthy local charities - The Suffolk Foundation and St Nicholas Hospice – that both do so much for our local community. Thankfully the sun was shining on Wednesday evening and in addition to the 13 teams there were plenty of supporters to add to the atmosphere.

“We would like to say a big thank you to all of the local businesses who supported the event by entering teams, providing some fantastic raffle prizes, ensuring we were well fed and had somewhere to play. In total we raised over £2,000, so thank you to everyone who contributed.”

Caroline Smith, from the winning team - Pure Resourcing Solutions, commented: “We were delighted to be invited to take part in this great charity event, raising £2000 for St Nicholas Hospice and The Suffolk Foundation was most definitely the highlight of the evening. A big thank you to the Baker Tilly team for organising the event so successfully.

“Also, thank you to local businesses who generously donated some amazing prizes for the raffle. I will certainly enjoy Cambridgeshire Day at Newmarket Races that I also won! Considering we hadn't played Rounder's since our school days, we were extremely surprised to have won. We will definitely be there next year to defend our title!”

After the winners of the rounders tournament were crowned, everyone had the chance to become winners themselves by buying tickets for the charity raffle. A fantastic array of prizes were donated by a number of local businesses including Lilyo, Propono PR, Greene King, Gavin Ashley and Newmarket Racecourse, to help the evening finish on a high.

Both The Suffolk Foundation and St Nicholas Hospice will benefit from £1,000 each from the event.