An accountancy and business advice firm has gifted more than 350 baubles and donated £325 to a Hampshire hospice charity after a fun Christmas competition.

HWB Chartered Accountants invited clients, staff, visitors and the public to guess the exact number of baubles which were put on display in their Chandler’s Ford reception. A one-metre-tall, 300mm-diameter clear cylindrical tube was packed full of the coloured decorations in HWB’s brand colours.

Within days, the firm received more than 100 entries, with resulting proceeds quickly rising and exceeding the fundraising target of £250 for HWB’s chosen charity, Mountbatten Hampshire. The answer was 355. The closest guess was made by Liam Heffernan of The Brain Tumour Charity, based in Fleet, who won a Christmas hamper worth £100. Liam said:

“I am delighted to win this fantastic Christmas hamper from HWB. The Brain Tumour Charity has been a client of HWB for many years and I have always been impressed with HWB’s efficient, helpful and friendly service.”

The baubles have now been donated to Mountbatten Hampshire to sell on in one of their charity shops, so recycling their use.

Caitlyn Sherry, Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser at Mountbatten, said:

“This was such a lovely Christmas present. We provide free-of-charge services to around 1,000 families every day, with demand predicted to grow by 40% in the next 18 months."

“It is only through the generosity of our amazing community of supporters and volunteers that we can provide the best possible care for local people in the last years of their life."

“Christmas can be an especially difficult time for those living alongside death, dying and bereavement, so we can’t thank HWB Chartered Accountants enough for their timely support. It is very much appreciated.”

HWB Managing Director Tracy Jenkins said: “Our bauble challenge was an ideal way to have fun, sprinkle a little Christmas magic and support Mountbatten Hampshire all at the same time."

“Congratulations to Liam for being so close with the answer. We thank everyone who entered the competition and did their bit to help us raise much needed funds for Mountbatten Hampshire.”