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.

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Written by Rosanna Stimson
Associate Partner, Marketing at Franklins Solicitors LLP

Specialises in marketing strategy, copywriting and proofing, social media and SEO, email marketing, event management, PR, marketing collateral, and internal communications.

Rosanna Stimson is a Marketing Professional at Franklins Solicitors LLP. She holds a degree in Mass Communications from the University of Leicester and a Professional Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Rosanna has also completed specialist diplomas in Digital Marketing and Digital Planning and Strategy from the Digital Marketing Institute.

Her expertise spans strategic planning, copywriting, SEO, social media, email marketing, PR, and event management.

Outside of work, Rosanna enjoys running, travelling, reading crime thrillers, and spending time with her family and friends.

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