'˜Best ever' the ambition for Master's Challenge

Master and Mistress Cutler, Craig and Karen McKay, launch their charity challenge at the Cutlers Hall

Karen McKay is set to do a sponsored skydive for the Master Cutler’s Challenge, the event that hands people £50 and asks them to turn it into as much money as possible.

Meanwhile, husband Craig is raising funds already - he has sold one of his paintings to the head of the Yeoman of the Guard, the Queen’s bodyguard, and is starting a sponsored weight loss.

The couple’s plans inspired an audience of 300 at the Cutlers’ Hall for the official launch of the annual fundraising event which last year raised £150,000 for good causes.

This year, St Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield and Rotherham Hospice are set to be benefit.

Mr McKay, the chief executive of Sheffield engineering firm Evenort, said: “This year we are promising the biggest and best challenge to date, I think it’s important we aim high to be the very best we can be.

“Gordon Bridge was prepared to fail in launching this nine years ago and I’m hoping you will join me on this journey.

“We take St Luke’s and Rotherham Hospice for granted and the role they play at a difficult time in people’s lives. Yes, people go there at the end of their life, but it’s not about death, it’s about life. In joining the challenge you will be having fun and doing so for a very good cause.

“I have been involved for nine years, the first year I ran the London Marathon and raised more than £7,000. I’ve also done a sponsored weight loss and organised a rock concert. You don’t have to wait until summer to get started.”

As a student of Sheffield legend Joe Scarborough, he had produce some impressionist paintings, he added. And he had just sold one after an enquiry from the head of the Yeomen of the Guard, who attended Sheffield in their capacity as the Queen’s bodyguard on Maundy Thursday last year. The work of art is set to hang in St James’ Palace.

Mistress Cutler Karen McKay added: “It doesn’t have to be massive or onerous, people have done everything from sheep shearing to life-size Monopoly to cake sales. If you are struggling for an idea join me on Sunday May 8 when I’ll be doing the UK’s highest sky dive.”

Some 120 South Yorkshire companies, organisations and individuals – including Sheffield art legend Joe Scarborough – have so far signed up.

To find out more or sign up visit www.mcc2016.co.uk or call Jack at St Luke’s on 0114 2357594 or Colin at Rotherham Hospice on 01709 308918.