A LAW firm staged a tribute to a hit business television show to fundraise for the People's Kitchen.

Ponteland-based boutique firm Major Family Law staged a six-week tribute to the business television show The Apprentice from late February to early April.

The 30 Major Family Law staff members were divided into two competing teams for the duration, All for Won and the Major Contenders, under the leadership of legal assistant Rachael Jonas and solicitor Stacy Williams respectively.

Each team was given a float of £200 and tasked with applying their entrepreneurial skills to raise as much money as possible for charity.

Dubbed The Apprentice Comes North, the winner was the Major Contenders by the tiniest of margins at £1.70. Nevertheless, the All For Wons still had to make a boardroom appearance to discuss their loss.

Altogether, the teams raised £5,430.32 for the People’s Kitchen, which has been providing food, resources and support for vulnerable and homeless people across the Newcastle region since 1985.

The Apprentice Comes North featured weekly challenges for each team, chosen to help boost morale, motivation and team-building. These included:

  •       Baking the largest most creative pancake for Shrove Tuesday.
  •       Creating a 30-second advertisement for assessment by former BBC News correspondent Al Leithead.
  •       Designing a corporate Christmas card.
  •       ‘Flash mob’ dance-offs, in which members of each team danced in a public location. Everyone’s efforts were judged by a former professional TV dancer.

Each team was also tasked with organising their own fundraising event. The Major Contenders opted for a wine and charcuterie taster evening courtesy of Eleven Restaurant in Ponteland. “Barmy Bingo” courtesy of Tynedale Rugby Club was chosen by All For Wons. 

Major Family Law founder and managing director Joanne Major said: “It’s been tremendous fun and has proved to be a successful, energising way to get the staff to work together in the challenges set by allowing their creative and innovative talents to shine forth.

"I’m just a little sad it’s now over and can see why Lord Sugar comes back for more each year. Very well done fellow legal contender, Boxing Barrister Marnie on your recent deserved success and bravo to everyone here at Major Family Law; it was the taking part not the winning: you’re all still hired."