BUSINESSES from across Devon are being invited to be driven mad by participating in a ‘driver challenge extravaganza’ in Exeter in aid of Hospiscare.

Teams of four will be challenged to compete in up to 14 events at the Exeter Livestock Centre on April 29 and will be able to test their skills driving a lorry, a tractor, fork lift truck, a fire service bobcat, ambulance, mini digger and a double decker bus.

Other activities at the event, which is sponsored by Clydesdale Bank, include trailer reversing changing tyres, laser clay shooting, archery and, perhaps the hardest of all for experienced drivers, a highway code test.

Hospiscare is the local hospice charity which provides free-of-charge, high-quality care and dedicated support to people who are terminally ill.

The charity is community based in Exeter, mid and east Devon and needs to raise over £4 million this year to continue providing the high levels of care and support for patients and their families.

Paul Siely, senior partner at Clydesdale Bank said: “Hospiscare provide an exceptional service and need all the support they can get.

“We are delighted to help by organizing a really fun day which will raise funds for the charity while offering a team-building opportunity with a difference for local businesses.

“We also hope the publicity we generate will help raise the profile of the work Hospiscare do and the opportunities of supporting throughout the region’s business community.”

Alison Palfrey, Director of Fundraising at Hospiscare, said: “Once again we are grateful to Clydesdale Bank and all our corporate supporters who will take part in the Driver Challenge.

“Last year, the same team organized an off-road driving challenge at the Land Rover Experience near Honiton and raised over £3,500.

“We are hoping that local businesses will see the value of taking up this challenge and will support us in numbers.”

Paul Siely added: “Last year, we attracted over 15 teams and this year we aim to double that with the objective of at least doubling the funds we raised last year for this wonderful cause.”

To express an interest in the challenge, which costs £350 per team of four, businesses are invited to contact sarah.dalley@eu.nabgroup.com