Franklins Solicitors is proud to announce the success of our Pallets of Hope campaign, which has helped bring vital support and festive cheer to families facing hardship across Milton Keynes, Northampton and the surrounding areas this Christmas.

Through the generosity of employees, supporters and local businesses, the campaign has funded 20 pallets of food, clothing, gifts and essential household items, with a combined retail value of approximately £40,000.

Supporting Local Communities Through Partnership

Working in partnership with His Church Charity, the pallets were distributed to food banks, schools and community centres supporting those most in need.

Beneficiary organisations included:

• Baby Basics
• Foodkind Northampton
• MK Foodbank
• Restore Northampton
• Shenley Community Centre
• The Northampton Hope Centre
• The Shelter MK
• The McCarthy Dixon Foundation
• Water Eaton Foodbank
• Woodford Halse School Foodbank
• YMCA

Community Fundraising Efforts

Fundraising activities included a Christmas Quiz hosted at Franklins’ Ashton House offices, the Milton Keynes tuck shop initiative, and ongoing donations through MK Food Reach and Northants Food Reach.

Special thanks are also extended to Lynn from A Fitter Life, who went above and beyond in raising additional funds to support the campaign, further strengthening the community’s ability to give.

Words from Franklins Solicitors

Andrea Smith of Franklins Solicitors, who spearheaded the campaign, said:

“While Christmas is a time when need is more visible, the reality is that many families in our communities struggle all year round. That’s why we are proud not only to lead the Pallets of Hope campaign, but also to provide ongoing support to MK Food Reach and Northants Food Reach.

By donating through these organisations, businesses can be confident their money goes further, reaching those who need it most through the incredible work of His Church Charity.”

Partner Perspective

Richard Humphrey from His Church Charity highlighted the impact of the partnership approach:

“We are grateful for all the retail and manufacturing partners who trust His Church to redistribute their surplus products to help vulnerable people through first class front-line charities, like the 11 amazing organisations we have supported through Pallets of Hope. This campaign powerfully demonstrates what’s possible when businesses and charities collaborate to make a difference in their communities.”

Voices from Supported Charities

Local charities receiving support also praised the initiative.

A spokesperson from The Northampton Hope Centre said:

“The Pallets of Hope campaign has made a real difference to the people we support. Access to food, clothing and household essentials at this time of year helps relieve immediate pressure and allows us to focus on longer-term support.”

Meanwhile, Hannah Forbes from Baby Basics Milton Keynes added:

“The donated items will directly support families with young children who are already under significant financial strain. We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved for their generosity and compassion.”

Hollie-Jasmine, Fundraising and Partnerships Officer at YMCA Milton Keynes commented:

“We were amazed to get a massive pallet of food from Franklins Solicitors through their Fitter Life Pallets of Hope Campaign yesterday. This food will stock our young people’s kitchens this Christmas. Thank you so much for your generous donation.”

Continuing Community Support

Franklins Solicitors would like to thank everyone who donated, fundraised or took part in the campaign, helping to make Christmas brighter for hundreds of local families and supporting sustainable, community-led solutions to hardship.

To find out more about MK Food Reach and Northants Food Reach and set up a donation, visit:

MK Food Reach: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MK-Food-Reach

Northants Food Reach: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/NH-Foodreach

Franklins Solicitors LLP is excited to announce the 12 charities that will be supported in the Franklins £50 Challenge 2026, taking place from 23rd February to 29th May 2026.

Charities Selected for the £50 Challenge 2026

The selected charities include returning favourites: The Northampton Hope Centre, Cynthia Spencer Hospice, The Lewis Foundation, The Air Ambulance Service, Arthur Ellis Mental Health Foundation and Rainbows Hospice.

New charity partners joining the challenge for 2026 are: Action 4 Youth, FoodCycle, Spinal Injuries Association, MK Snap, Milton Keynes Community Foundation and Medical Detection Dogs.

How the Franklins £50 Challenge Works

The annual challenge sees local businesses and organisations form teams. Each team selects one of the participating charities they wish to support. Franklins provides each team with £50, which they must use creatively to raise as much money as possible for their chosen charity during the three month challenge. This year, the campaign raised nearly £60,000 and the firm hopes to surpass this total in 2026.

Words from Franklins Solicitors

Andrea Smith, Partner at Franklins Solicitors and champion of the initiative said:

“The £50 Challenge is a brilliant way for local businesses and organisations to get involved in fundraising while supporting the charities that matter most to them. We can’t wait to see the creativity and energy that next year’s teams bring to the campaign.”

Charity Partners Share Their Thoughts

Charities from previous years are looking forward to seeing the results.

Nina Gandy, Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser Lead at Cynthia Spencer Hospice said:

“The challenge is a fun and inspiring way to engage local supporters. Watching the teams come up with creative ways to fundraise is always amazing. As a charity it is an honour to have been part of the challenge since the very beginning and we can’t wait to see what 2026 brings!”

Rebecca Starmer, Corporate Partnership Fundraiser at Rainbows Hospice said:

‘I love this campaign. Last year was the first year we’d taken part and we’re thrilled to have been chosen again. It means so much to the young people we support and it’s a great opportunity to raise awareness of the support services we offer.’

New charity partners are equally enthusiastic.

Sallie Stone-Bearne, Fundraiser for the Spinal Injuries Association said:

“Being chosen as a charity partner is an honour. We’re excited to see the innovative ideas teams come up with to raise funds for our cause.”

Charlotte Richardson, Corporate Partnerships Manager for Medical Detection Dogs said:

“We’re thrilled to have been chosen for the campaign – it’s a great platform to raise awareness of our work, develop relationships with local businesses and raise vital funds at the same time.”

Looking Ahead to the 2026 Challenge

The Franklins £50 Challenge, now in its ninth year, continues to support local charities while fostering collaboration and creativity. Businesses interested in forming a team can register their interest via www.franklins50.co.uk.

Charities invited to apply for Franklins £50 Challenge 2026

Franklins Solicitors is calling on local charities to apply to become beneficiaries of the Franklins £50 Challenge 2026.

The Franklins £50 Challenge is a well established fundraising campaign that brings together businesses and charities to raise vital funds and awareness across the region.

The 2026 Challenge will run from 23rd February to 29th May 2026 and will once again support twelve local charities. Charities have until Friday 3 October 2025 to submit their nominations.

The concept is simple. Franklins provides participating businesses with £50 of seed funding, which they are challenged to grow into as much money as possible for their chosen charity over a three month period. From bake sales to skydives, the creativity and enthusiasm of the teams have made the Challenge a community favourite.

About the Franklins £50 Challenge

Now in its eighth year, the Challenge has become a much anticipated fundraising campaign in the region, connecting businesses and charities to raise vital funds and awareness under the banner: Start Small, Grow Big. Make a Difference.

In 2025, a record breaking 57 teams raised over £59,000 for twelve charities across Milton Keynes, Northampton and the surrounding areas, making it the most successful year to date.

Words from Franklins Solicitors

Andrea Smith, Equity Partner at Franklins Solicitors, said:

“The Franklins £50 Challenge is proof that small beginnings can lead to extraordinary impact. We’re proud to have grown this initiative from supporting just three charities in its first year to twelve today. For 2026, we’re looking forward to partnering with charities that make a real difference to people at every stage of life. It’s a privilege to shine a light on the incredible work being done in our communities.”

How to Apply or Get Involved

Charities based in Milton Keynes, Northampton, or the surrounding areas are encouraged to apply here.

Businesses, organisations and individuals can also register to take part in the challenge as a team on www.franklins50.co.uk.

Franklins £50 Challenge 2025: Record Participation and Inspiring Fundraising

The Franklins £50 Challenge 2025 has officially come to a close, following three months of community spirit, creativity and incredible fundraising efforts from local businesses and organisations across Milton Keynes, Northampton and the surrounding areas.

Running from 24th February to 23rd May, this year’s challenge saw a record 56 teams take part – the highest number since the initiative began. Each team was handed £50 by Franklins Solicitors LLP and tasked with turning it into as much money as possible for one of 12 local charity partners, all while keeping their ideas safe, legal and as imaginative as they dared.

2025 Charity Beneficiaries

• The Arthur Ellis Mental Health Foundation
• Al’s Pals
• Willen Hospice
• The Lewis Foundation
• Cynthia Spencer Hospice
• The Air Ambulance Service
• Rainbows Hospice
• Shay’s Smiles
• Milton Keynes University Hospital
• YMCA
• Age UK Milton Keynes
• The Northampton Hope Centre

Creativity and Community in Action

Participants pulled out all the stops with an extraordinary range of fundraising ideas, including midnight bakeathons, samosa making, disco bingo, head shaving, tombolas, art sales, skydiving, football tournaments and murder mystery nights. The creativity, community spirit and generosity displayed was inspiring.

Celebrating Success

The total amount raised – expected to be a record – will be unveiled at a special celebration event on 19th June at the Delta by Marriott Hotel in Northampton, where teams and charity partners will come together to celebrate their collective achievements.

Rosanna Stimson, Head of Marketing at Franklins Solicitors LLP, said:

“The Franklins £50 Challenge is a highlight of our year and we are blown away by the innovation and passion that our teams have shown in 2025. Watching our local community come together with such enthusiasm and creativity for such a broad range of fantastic causes is truly inspiring. We’re proud to play a small part in empowering these efforts and are incredibly excited to reveal the final fundraising total next month.”

Looking to the Future

Now in its seventh year, the Franklins £50 Challenge continues to grow in popularity and impact, championing grassroots fundraising and shining a spotlight on the incredible work being done by local charities.

Charities who would like to become beneficiaries for next year’s campaign will be invited to submit their applications for consideration in September 2025.

Photo Highlight

Photos: The Mixxos Recruitment team organised a charity football match to support the YMCA, raising over £3,000.

The Franklins £50 Challenge 2025 Hits Halfway Mark with £17,000 Raised

The Franklins £50 Challenge is off to a promising start, with the halfway point now reached in this year’s campaign. Teams across Milton Keynes, Northampton and the surrounding areas have already raised nearly £17,000 (excluding Gift Aid) for 12 local charities, with an ambitious target of £50,000 to be reached by the end of the campaign.

How It Works

The £50 Challenge sees teams from local businesses receive £50 seed funding from Franklins Solicitors LLP, with three months to turn that amount into as much money as possible for their chosen charity. The 12 charity partners for 2025 are:

• The Arthur Ellis Mental Health Foundation
• Al’s Pals
• Willen Hospice
• The Lewis Foundation
• Cynthia Spencer Hospice
• The Air Ambulance Service
• Rainbows Hospice
• Shay’s Smiles
• Milton Keynes University Hospital
• YMCA
• Age UK Milton Keynes
• The Northampton Hope Centre

Fundraising Highlights So Far

Since the challenge kicked off in February, 60 teams have been getting creative with their fundraising. Activities so far have included:

• Disco bingo nights
• Raffles
• Head shaving and waxing
• Samosa making
• Sponsored silence
• Bake sales and car boot sales
• Quizzes
• Table tennis tournaments

The total raised is expected to rise significantly before the campaign closes on May 23rd. Coming up in the second half of the challenge are more exciting events, including:

• Football tournaments
• Marathon running
• The Three Peaks Challenge
• Skydiving

Participant Spotlight

Jacob Holmes from Kirkby Diamond, who shaved his head to raise money for The Air Ambulance Service, shared:

“Kirkby Diamond has had such a great time partaking in the Franklins £50 Challenge. The shaving and waxing was definitely a memorable moment for us all and it’s been amazing to see how passionate everyone is about raising money for these incredible local causes. Kirkby Diamond is proud to be part of something that’s making such a difference to the community.”

Looking Ahead

Andrea Smith, Equity Partner at Franklins Solicitors LLP, expressed:

“We’re incredibly proud of the dedication and creativity demonstrated by the teams involved in the Franklins £50 Challenge. To have already raised nearly £17,000 at the halfway point is an outstanding achievement and we know there’s much more to come. We’re looking forward to seeing what the remaining weeks bring as more events and activities take place to support these wonderful local charities.”

Learn More

The Franklins £50 Challenge aims to raise at least £50,000 by the end of May. To learn more about the campaign or to get involved, visit www.franklins50.co.uk.

The Kirkby Diamond team from the Franklins £50 Challenge pose with Karen Hughes from The Air Ambulance Service. From left to right: Jacob Holmes, Paul Quy, Karen Hughes, Paul Hazell, Steve Cable.

Nick Hewer Backs the 2025 Franklins £50 Challenge for Second Year

Star of The Apprentice and Countdown, Nick Hewer, has shown his support for the Franklins £50 Challenge for the second year running by appearing in a new social media video to help launch this year’s campaign.

The launch video features Nick Hewer, former right-hand man to Lord Sugar, encouraging local teams to sign up for the Apprentice-style challenge, organised by leading law firm Franklins Solicitors LLP. The challenge provides teams across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes with £50 in seed funding and gives them three months to turn that £50 into as much money as possible for their chosen charity.

12 Charities Set to Benefit in 2025

This year’s campaign supports a record number of 12 charities, with a strong focus on delivering local help and hope to every generation. The selected charities are:

• Cynthia Spencer Hospice
• Northampton Hope Centre
• The Lewis Foundation
• Willen Hospice
• YMCA
• Shay’s Smiles
• Milton Keynes Hospital Charity
• Age UK Milton Keynes
• The Air Ambulance Service
• Arthur Ellis Mental Health Support
• Headway Milton Keynes
• Rainbows Hospice

Andrea Smith, Partner at Franklins Solicitors LLP, commented:

“Last year’s campaign was a record-breaking year with more than £35,000 raised for eight local charities. This year, with a record 12 charities set to benefit, we’re hoping we can raise even more money and really make a difference by bringing help and hope to as many people as possible across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes.”

Nick Hewer said:

“I first became involved in the Franklins £50 Challenge last year and I’m delighted to lend my support again this year as it’s such a brilliant initiative to spur people on to fundraise and ignite entrepreneurial thinking and flair. I’m looking forward to discovering the creative ways teams choose to turn one £50 note into hundreds, or hopefully thousands of pounds to benefit the charities that help so many people in our local communities.”

A Proven Format with Impact

Last year’s participants raised money through a wide variety of fundraising activities including bake sales, raffles, retro movie nights, pizza lunches, 12-hour bike rides, football tournaments and even lawn mowing services. The creativity and community spirit behind each fundraiser continues to drive the challenge’s success and growing popularity.

How to Get Involved

The Franklins £50 Challenge 2025 runs from Monday 24 February to Friday 23 May. Teams can sign up or learn more at www.franklins50.co.uk.

For media enquiries or interview requests, please contact:

• Rosanna Stimson, Marketing Manager at Franklins Solicitors LLP
• Phone: 01908 660966
• Email: rosanna.stimson@franklins-sols.co.uk

Franklins £50 Challenge 2025 Welcomes Record Number of Charity Partners

Milton Keynes and Northampton are poised to see a significant boost in charitable support thanks to the Franklins £50 Challenge, an innovative fundraising initiative inspired by the Apprentice. Franklins Solicitors LLP has selected a record 12 charities from over 40 applicants to benefit from the 2025 campaign, including seven new partners that are joining the initiative for the first time.

The participating charity partners for 2025 include:

• Northampton Hope Centre
• Cynthia Spencer Hospice
• The Lewis Foundation
• Willen Hospice
• YMCA

New additions to this year’s line-up are:

• Age UK Milton Keynes
• The Air Ambulance Service
• The Arthur Ellis Mental Health Foundation
• Headway
• Milton Keynes Hospital Charity
• Rainbows Hospice
• Shay’s Smiles

The Franklins £50 Challenge invites local businesses to form teams that each receive £50 seed funding from Franklins Solicitors. Over the course of three months, these teams are tasked with creatively transforming their initial investment into substantial funds for their chosen charities. Participants can employ a variety of fundraising methods, from bake sales to barbecues, auctions, car washes and more.

Since its inception in 2018, the Franklins £50 Challenge has successfully raised over £135,000 for local charities while shining a spotlight on their invaluable contributions to the community. The 2025 challenge will run from February 24th to May 23rd, under the tagline: “Local Help and Hope for Every Generation.”

Andrea Smith, Partner at Franklins Solicitors, said:

“Each year, the £50 Challenge continues to grow and attract more participation. We received over 40 applications from charities who wanted to be part of the 2025 campaign. It was an extremely difficult decision to narrow this down. So much so, that we decided to select 12 charity partners, a 25% increase from last year.

We’re really excited to be working with local charities who do amazing work in our communities and rely on public support to help make this happen. We hope to see as many businesses as possible signing up to make a difference. As well as raising money to help make a positive impact in the local community, it’s a collaborative opportunity for teambuilding, networking, getting creative and having fun.”

Franklins is encouraging companies and organisations to sign up to take part in the 2025 £50 Challenge. To register as a team visit: www.franklins50.co.uk.

Franklins Solicitors Invites Charity Nominations for 2025 £50 Challenge

Franklins Solicitors, a leading legal firm with offices in Milton Keynes and Northampton, is inviting local charities to nominate themselves as beneficiaries of their annual fundraising campaign – the Franklins £50 Challenge. This year, Franklins has pledged to support a minimum of eight local charities through the initiative, with nominations open until 27th September 2024.

The Franklins £50 Challenge 2025 will run from 24th February to 23rd May 2025. Now in its sixth year, the campaign has become a significant platform for local charities to partner with businesses in raising essential funds for their services. The 2025 campaign theme, Local Help and Hope for Every Generation, underscores its commitment to making a positive and lasting impact across the community.

The challenge continues to grow in popularity, attracting an increasing number of businesses, large and small, to get involved each year. Participating teams receive £50 seed funding from Franklins Solicitors, which they are tasked with transforming into substantial contributions for their chosen charity over the course of three months. They can be as creative as they like with their fundraising ideas. Beyond financial support, the campaign helps raise awareness and encourages community engagement in driving meaningful change.

In 2024, 40 teams from businesses across Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire raised over £35,000 to support eight local charities, making it the most successful year to date. The firm is aiming to beat this record in 2025.

Andrea Smith, Equity Partner at Franklins Solicitors, commented on the decision to continue running the campaign for 2025:

“Following the success of this year’s challenge, we received wonderful feedback from the charities and teams involved and have seen so many inspiring fundraising ideas come to life.

We’ve received enquiries from several charities interested in participating next year. Our focus is on working specifically with local charities and we will be choosing a diverse range of charities who offer support to people through different stages of life.”

Charities based in Milton Keynes or Northamptonshire that align with the campaign’s theme of providing help and hope for every generation are encouraged to apply.

Interested charities can submit their applications by visiting www.franklins50.co.uk (where businesses can also register their interest in entering a team). The deadline for charity nominations is Friday, 27th September 2024.

Franklins £50 Challenge Breaks Fundraising Record with Over £35,000 Raised

We are delighted to announce that the annual Franklins £50 Challenge has set a new record, with more than £35,000 raised in this year’s Apprentice-style challenge.

Forty teams from across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes took part in the challenge and raised a total of £35,733 for eight local charities – smashing last year’s total of £20,000. The teams received £50 seed funding from Franklins in February and had three months to turn the £50 into as much money as possible for their chosen charity.

An awards ceremony took place on Wednesday 19 June to celebrate the achievements of the teams who used their entrepreneurial skills to come up with creative ways of fundraising, including retro movie nights, stone-baked pizza lunches, 12-hour bike rides, football tournaments, lawn-mowing, bake sales, raffles and much more.

Nick Hewer, Lord Sugar’s former right-hand man and Apprentice star, presented awards to the top five fundraising teams with a team from the John Lewis Partnership in first place, raising £2,922 before Gift Aid. The top five fundraising teams also included MIXXOS Group, Travis Perkins, Amazon BHX3 Daventry and Commsave Credit Union.

Nick Hewer said:

“I was intrigued by the challenge and excited by it because it’s clever and it works! From 40 teams, £50 each, that’s a £2,000 investment and the return was extraordinary – they raised £35,000 between them for local charities. I think it’s tremendous community spirited work and I’ve got nothing but admiration for the people that turned that £50 into thousands – and for Franklins for actually driving it forward and turning it into such a success.”

Andrea Smith, Partner at Franklins Solicitors, said:

“We are so delighted that this year’s challenge has been a record-breaking year and are incredibly proud that, since it began in 2018, the Franklins £50 Challenge has now raised more than £135,000 for local charities – and that’s including a break during lockdown. At the very heart of this year’s challenge was our desire to fight hunger, fuel wellness and change local lives and we hope that the money raised for the eight local charities will bring a positive impact to people throughout Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes.”

The eight charities benefitting from this year’s challenge are:

• Cynthia Spencer Hospice
• Northampton Hope Centre
• The Lewis Foundation
• Northamptonshire Community Foundation
• Willen Hospice
• MK Act
• Harry’s Rainbow
• YMCA – MK

Awards were also given for all teams raising more than £1,000 and the following categories:

• Small Business Superstar – Sophisticake Creations
• Best Community Initiative – LOL Theatre Company
• Most Creative Fundraising Idea – Aiimi
• Best Example of Teamwork – Soiltechnics
• Best Use of Social Media – Commsave Credit Union

More information about how the challenge can be found at: www.franklins50.co.uk

Teams across Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes have been putting their entrepreneurial skills to the test to raise money for eight local charities as part of the Franklins £50 Challenge.

With almost a month still to go before the challenge ends, more than £10,000 has already been in the Apprentice-style challenge and we are hopeful that the record of last year’s total of £20,000 will be broken and a new record set.

The 2024 challenge, which started in February, has seen 41 teams turn their £50 seed funding from Franklins into more money for their chosen charity. With less than four weeks to go, the race is on to be the best performing team with events taking place to raise as much money as possible including retro movie nights, six-aside football tournaments, 12-hour bike rides and abseiling down the Northampton Lift Tower.

Andrea Smith, Equity Partner at Franklins Solicitors, said:

“From bake sales to lawn mowing, raffles to make your own pizza lunches, this year’s teams have really put their entrepreneurial skills to the test and come up with so many creative ways to raise money for local charities. The aim of this year’s challenge is to fight hunger, fuel wellness and change local lives and with so much money already raised we hope to bring about positive change throughout Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes.”

Since it began in 2018, the Franklins £50 Challenge has raised more than £100,000 for local charities, showcasing the potential for collective efforts to bring about meaningful transformation. The eight charities benefitting from this year’s challenge are Cynthia Spencer Hospice, the Northampton Hope Centre, The Lewis Foundation, Northamptonshire Community Foundation, Willen Hospice, MK Act, Harry’s Rainbow and YMCA – MK.

The 41 teams taking part this year are from the following organisations: Travis Perkins, Towergate Insurance, Syncro Office Technology, Piroto Labelling Ltd, Keep Moat, Chartwell Controls, OneFourSix, The Brady Creative, Commsave, Virtual Sales Team, MacIntyre Hudson, All Things Business, I Love Catering, Facilities Management Solutions, Franklins Solicitors, Soiltechnics, Hawsons Chartered Accountants, Acorn Commercial Finance, Boom 7, Laugh Out Loud Theatre Company, Metro Bank, Cottons Group, Amazon (Daventry), Delapre Abbey, House of Mystery Ltd, Nationwide Building Society, Quest Employment, Handpicked Hotels (Fawsley Hall), Sophisticake Creations, Work Buzz, John Lewis & Partners, Aiimi Ltd, Somnium Recruitment Ltd, Plumbing & Gas Solutions Ltd, Smith Jenkins Planning & Heritage and Brioche Pasquier.

More information about how the challenge works can also be found at: www.franklins50.co.uk

Mandy from the Commsave team abseiling for Cynthia Spencer Hospice