Runnymede Council does The Apprentice

Justin Williams, team leader said: "The Challenge has begun and a big thank you to everyone helping and supporting ourselves in this month-long crazy Apprentice style. Last week we raised an amazing £1,028, which is a third of the way to our overall goal of £3,000. We have a website for people who wish to donate money. Visit www.justgiving.com/runnymedeaprilfools

"We launched our Challenges with a Wear Purple for Princess Alice on 1st April and the office was awash with purple in every department, ranging from ties, shirts, skirts and tops, with even some cowboy boots getting an airing. We then held a staff car washing event and in one day we washed 54 cars and are now suffering from car wash red hands!

"All the Fools took part in the event, with apprentices taking either leave or flexi to wash the cars. In fact all staff have to take leave to join in and are not doing this in their work time.

"On Tuesday 21 April we have an Old Skool Sports Day for Adults event at Egham Leisure Centre, and are calling up teams to participate. Council staff have to take some form of leave to support us or enter, and so far everyone has been great.

"On Wednesday 22 April, we have a Masseuse visiting the offices.

"Thursday 23 April, which English people in the authority should already know, is St George's Day. There will be celebrations across the borough culminating in a St George's Day Live Music Event at the Egham Hythe Centre in the evening, with a licensed bar and snacks along with the draw of the Easter Chocolate Teaser Tickets will be available shortly.

"The final week of our challenge we are hoping for another car wash event at the Civic Centre and there is also the draw of the raffle on the 29 April. Tickets for which will be on sale shortly."

The April Fools challenges are for the "You're Inspired! Corporate challenge to raise money for Princess Alice Hospice, in Esher. During April 2009, Runnymede Borough Council is one of 20 organisations across Surrey and South West London challenged to grow a loan of £100 from the Princess Alice Hospice by as much as is legally and ethically possible, in aid of Princess Alice Hospice. The winning team will be the one that raises the most money and there is a fantastic prize to be won.

Raef Bjayou from the BBC1 hit show 'The Apprentice' will also be judging and awarding an 'Innovation Award' and prize for entrepreneurial creativity among those teams. The award ceremony will be at the Hospice on Thursday 30 April 2009 at 4.00 pm.

For all teams taking part, there will be enormous prestige, plenty of publicity and a fantastic team building opportunity.

The Runnymede Borough Council April Fools Apprentices are: Nick Neal, Sam Clifton, Kuda Magorimbo, Terri Mannian, Linda McNaughton, Kathryn Daniels, Hazel Aitken, Carol Holehouse Gemma Field and the team leader is Justin Williams. They work in Housing, Technical Services, Egham Leisure Centre, Finance, and Chief Executive's departments. Terry Ryan is their photographer.