TRAPPED colleagues will scramble to solve clues and unravel riddles as they attempt to break out of a maze.

Networking group Opendoorz has challenged businesses across the county to beat the clock and escape from a myriad of rooms at Oxford adventure complex City Mazes.

The project is set to raise £5,000 for Sobell House, as part of Opendoorz's role as one of the Headington hospice's corporate fundraisers.

Cathy Dunbabin, who co-founded the networking company alongside Sonia Kearns, said: "We always have a charity of the year and Sobell is very close to our hearts.

"One of our members is actively involved with Sobell as her husband passed away there. It made such a tremendous difference to the last few days they had together, how relaxed it was.

"This was very much driven by her experience."

Opendoorz joined the Sobell House 40 Club last year, which was set up in the hospice's 40th anniversary year.

The 40 Club encourages employers to support Sobell's end-of-life care by challenging each business to raise £10,000 over four years.

Ms Dunbabin accepted the mission but narrowed the time frame to just one year.

She said: "We are a networking company and by virtue of that we are always growing.

"Most of the time that's used to create business opportunities but it's really nice to be able to use that for something as worthy as Sobell.

"There are some big businesses involved in the 40 Club and it's nice to network with them. [The club] ticks boxes on every level."

To fuel fundraising Opendoorz invited 25 businesses to come forward for the City Mazes challenge, which offers a Crystal Maze-esque adventure at Ozone Leisure Park near the Kassam Stadium.

Ms Dunbabin said: "City Mazes has been great in offering us crazily reduced prices so everything people pay goes to Sobell. It will be great fun.

"It's not a physical challenge but it's about thinking outside the box."

Teams stepped forward including from Blenheim Palace and Opendoorz' sister business ConnectingDoorz, each paying £180 for up to 10 employees to tackle the maze.

The battle began in February and will continue until the end of March, with each company competing to complete the maze within 60 minutes.

The team that beats the clock in the quickest time will be crowned winner at a ceremony.

Sobell House's corporate partnership manager Tim Wraith said: "I've come across very few businesses in Oxfordshire that haven't got a connection with Sobell.

"Getting involved can have a massive positive impact on members of staff and a huge difference for employers."

To find out more about joining the 40 Club visit sobellhouse.org/the40club, or email cathy@opendoorz.biz to take part in the maze challenge.