A NEW Maldon start-up has raised more than £4,000 for a hospice in an annual charity challenge.

Secret Hamper took part in the 2016 Farleigh Hospice £50 challenge.

In May Farleigh Hospice, with the support of Birkett Long, gave away 75 fresh £50 notes as part of the challenge which asks participants to turn the cash into as much money for charity as possible.

Secret Hamper, which was set up by friends Nigel Richardson and Paul Barmby, allows people to send a hamper of essentials to friends or family.

Nigel decided to approach businesses asking them to donate £50 in order to have their company logo added to the side of the Secret Hamper van, which was about to set off on a four month UK tour.

In total 74 businesses donated helping to raise £4,300.

At an awards ceremony last week Secret Hamper were named the top fundraisers.

Nigel said: “With the company’s ethos being to care and share, embracing the £50 Farleigh Challenge was an easy decision.

“Having lost my own father to this terrible disease I felt that this was an ideal opportunity to give something back to the people that do so much to support our loved ones in times of need.

“On meeting Debbie De Boltz, Farleigh’s Fundraising Manager, back in March, her passion for the cause was contagious and I felt we had to be involved.”