The team at Selecta Systems is once again putting its gardening skills to the test with the return of its Great Pumpkin Challenge, now in its fourth year.

What started as a light-hearted competition between colleagues has become something of an annual tradition at Selecta, with team members battling it out to see who can grow the heaviest pumpkin.

There is certainly a high standard to beat. Last year’s winner, Mick, grew an impressive 7.06kg pumpkin, while the overall record for the challenge currently stands at a whopping 9.2kg!

The challenge also owes a lot to Selecta colleague Keith Grice, who kindly provides the plants for the competition each year. Keith also puts his creative talents to work making handmade prizes for the contestants, which have become almost as famous within Selecta as the pumpkins themselves! Each prize is completely bespoke, with plenty of time, skill and imagination going into creating something unique for those taking part.

This year, the challenge has an added purpose. For the first time, Selecta is using the competition to help raise money for Acorns Children’s Hospice, a charity the company has proudly supported through fundraising and donations for many years.

As always, the growing season has already provided plenty of talking points. Some of Selecta’s usually successful growers have struggled, while others are proudly reporting two or three pumpkins growing nicely. Our local ‘Brummie’ squirrel population has also proven to be one of this year’s toughest competitors, with a few pumpkins falling victim to some rather enthusiastic taste-testing!

The challenge continues to create plenty of friendly rivalry between colleagues, while this year helping to raise awareness and funds for an incredibly important cause.

With plenty of growing still to come, there’s still everything to play for!

To support Selecta’s Great Pumpkin Challenge and help raise funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice, visit the team’s JustGiving page.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/selecta-systems-ltd-2?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL