AFTER three months of frantic fundraising activity, the 52 competitive businesses battling to win the Towergate Accumulator Challenge are days away from learning their fate.

In June, each team taking part in the challenge was handed �50 by sponsors Towergate Insurance, which they were tasked with turning into as much money as possible for St Nicholas Hospice Care.

On Tuesday, the Bury St Edmunds hospice will reveal the grand total raised and which firms have won coveted prizes, at an awards evening at the West Wing, at Ickworth.

Prizes will be handed out in categories including: most money raised, small business achievement, judges’ award, community award, most innovative idea and outstanding teamwork.

The Towergate Accumulator Challenge, which is supported by the East Anglian Daily Times and the Bury St Edmunds Mercury, encourages entrepreneurship, innovative thinking, team spirit and networking. In recognition of this, a special guest who represents all of these qualities will attend the ceremony.

Inventor Tom Pellereau, winner of The Apprentice 2011, will reveal the grand total and present the most money raised prize to the overall winners.

Tom’s prize on The Apprentice was a �250,000 business investment from Lord Sugar. He went on to launch his firm, Aventom, and earlier this year developed an innovative S-shaped nail file – the Stylfile – which was snapped up by major retailers.

Abby Mayes, hospice corporate fundraiser, said: “I am delighted such a well-known inventor and entrepreneur has agreed to be a part of the Accumulator Challenge.”

Fundraising events for this year’s challenge have included a virtual cycle ride to Paris; karting, netball, football and rounders tournaments; 5km fun run; skateathon; coast to coast cycle; leg wax; Zumbathon and portrait contest.