Disability charity Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF) are launching the ‘QEF Apprentice Challenge’ this week, in partnership with OmniServ; one of the UK’s leading airline and airport assistance services providers.  In the style of the popular BBC One programme The Apprentice, 6 teams from OmniServ and its travel retail division Blackjack Promotions will each take over a QEF shop for 2 hours on a specific day, to see who can raise the most money for the charity.

This challenge will put team members through their paces with everyone trying to sell the highest number of goods across a number of QEF charity shops around Surrey. At the end of the challenge, the teams will be judged on:
– who sold the most during their two hours; 
– the best shop window display (as voted by the general public);
– who generated the most gift aid sign ups for QEF

The challenge starts on November 1st and continues from November 4th – 8th, with each team having control of their allocated shop between 2pm and 4pm. During this time, the teams can re-merchandise, change, promote, or do whatever they need to do to sell as much as they can.

To support their fundraising challenge each team is bringing with them a selection of hand-picked donated items to sell on the day, as well as coming up with extra ideas to encourage people to visit their allocated shops. Team Collaboration are kicking off the challenge in the East Molesey shop on November 1st and have arranged for lots of in store activities for shoppers to enjoy, such as face painting, hand massages with luxury products and an autumnal mocktail ‘pomegranate punch’. Team Excellence close the challenge in Worcester Park on 8th November and are raffling 2 flights donated by Ryan Air!

Come along to any of the shops below on these dates to be part of the QEF Apprentice Challenge. Find a bargain or buy a raffle ticket and have a fun time raising money for QEF.   

Gary Thomas, Director of Retail Trading at QEF says: “This is a fantastic way for OmniServ to support QEF’s work; it’s an exciting and innovative idea that we hope the public will really get involved with. As a disability charity we are committed to providing expert services that support disabled people to maximise their independence. The funds raised by corporate partners such as OmniServ and through our charity shops across Surrey are a vital way of funding these services, which can often be life transforming for individuals. Thank you to everyone that supports this initiative by buying items in store or buying raffle tickets.” 

The winners will be announced at OmniServ’s annual Christmas cheese and wine night in December by OmniServ Group Managing Director Antony Marke. He says: “At OmniServ, we are constantly working to ensure that travel is accessible for everyone, regardless of their assistance needs. As such, we are delighted to be supporting the vital work that QEF does, in line with those same values. I’m looking forward to taking on the Lord Sugar role – but it’s all in the name of fun and at the end of the day no one will be getting fired!”

Follow #ApprenticeQEF on Twitter and Instagram to find out more. 

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