A team of graduate surveyors have been named winners of The Times Graduate Challenge 2016 (the Challenge). As part of the Challenge, the seven-strong team was recognised for developing the most creative way of raising money - £5,680 - on behalf of the charity, Accounting for Africa.

Now in its tenth year, the Challenge is open to all businesses from across the UK and designed to equip graduates with leadership and team-building skills necessary for future success. A total of 20 teams entered the Challenge, with participants being asked to complete a number of practical tasks, as well as having to develop a creative way to raise funds for Accounting for Africa, which supports a community-run orphan feeding scheme, helping more than 100 children in South Africa.

The Carter Jonas team devised an ambitious hitchhike to raise funds for the charity. From Carter Jonas’ most northern office in Kendal, Cumbria, the graduates made their way to its head office at Chapel Place in London, covering approximately 270 miles, raising money and sponsorship en-route.

To further add to the competition, the team – Sophie Crookes, Winchester; Amy Percy, Bath; Ben Gilligan, Cambridge; Oliver Newby, Boroughbridge; and Anna Thompson, Tom Vecchione and Clare Fleet, all based in Oxford – split into further groups racing each other to reach London. One determined group raced the last four miles on foot, to finish the journey with a very impressive time of just under seven hours. Another savvy group secured a free tube ride after impressing the staff of the London Underground with their efforts.

Mark Granger, Chief Executive of Carter Jonas, said: “I never fail to be amazed by the determination and commitment of our graduates. The Challenge has been a great way for our team to learn new skills to take with them into the next stage of their careers, as well as providing an opportunity to raise money for a very good cause. In winning the Challenge, our graduates have displayed qualities such as leadership, inventiveness, dedication and compassion - qualities valuable to every business, and we feel very lucky to have them in our team.”