Business bosses stepped out of the boardroom and into a world of creepy crawlies to raise thousands for a Bury St Edmunds-based hospice.
The 12 brave fundraisers – who all hold key positions at companies in west Suffolk and Thetford – took part in I’m a CEO, Get Me Out of Here in aid of St Nicholas Hospice Care.
It was the third time the hospice has held the challenge, which took place at Nowton Park, Bury St Edmunds on Friday, October 27, with an expected total of £20,000 for the charity.
The contestants tackled a range of bush-craft themed trials, including building a shelter, starting a camp fire and chopping logs.
Some of the more stomach-churning challenges included a blindfolded guess the animal test – featuring an Australian bearded dragon, corn snake, gecko, rat, cockroaches and morio worms.
The top bosses were also not going to get away without sampling some grim delicacies, with a tripe and mealworm smoothie followed by pigs’ ears, eyes, snout and brains on the menu.
Andrew Speed, managing director of St Edmundsbury Financial Services, as well as chairman of Bury Town Council, was crowned overall winner and ‘King of the Jungle’.
Andrew said: “I certainly didn’t expect to win. As a team everyone has done brilliantly. Everyone has thrown themselves into the challenges and we have had fun.
“It hasn’t always been easy, but I think everyone would agree to have raised almost £20,000 for the hospice is what it has all really been about.
“If I had to pick I think I would be most proud of my shelter building.”
John Dugmore was named as the competition’s top fundraiser after he managed to gain an impressive £4,160 for the charity and was presented with a bottle of champagne.
Abby Mayes, St Nicholas Hospice Care corporate fundraiser, said: “The whole day was a lot of fun.
“There was definitely plenty of team spirit and although everyone was competing against each other for the crown, they all encouraged each other along especially during the eating challenge.
“To have raised almost £20,000 really shows how much effort everyone put into their fundraising. We are so grateful to everyone for their support.”
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