BGL Group launches exciting South Africa Charity Trek 2010

30 lucky employees chosen for major fundraiser

Immediate release: 30 July 2009

BGL Group, one of the UK's largest personal lines insurance intermediaries, has kick-started its most exciting fundraising project yet – a nine-day Charity Trek in South Africa for 2010.

124 employees applied for the chance to secure a place on the trek which aims to raise a staggering £90,000 for the BGL Group's corporate charity partner, the NSPCC.

The team of trekkers include 18 from the Peterborough sites, six from Coventry Fusion Contact Centre Services, three from Peterlee Fusion Contact Centre Services and three from Sunderland Contact Centre Services. *see below for individuals named from each area.

The chosen team members, along with two reserves, attended the initial launch event at BGL Group's headquarters at Pegasus House in Orton Southgate, Peterborough to find out exactly what they'd let themselves in for.

They arrived to the sounds of African music for an informative presentation from tour organisers Discover Adventure. Jon O'Neill, regional representative from the NSPCC, then led a lively discussion encouraging team-mates to brainstorm possible fundraising ideas to help reach the £90,000 target.

Each trekker has now been tasked to raise £3,000 individual sponsorship for the trek which takes place from Thursday, February 25 to Friday, March 5, 2010. And, to get them started, BGL Group will be donating £500 each, a total of £15,000, towards this worthwhile cause.

This is a chance of a lifetime for the employees but it certainly won't be a holiday! They will be walking up to 22km a day through hilly terrains in hot temperatures and camping in tents overnight.

The trek will take them into the stunning Cederberg area, giving a rare opportunity to experience a genuine wilderness, the beauty of crisp clean air, breathtaking scenery and crystal clear streams, finishing at the summit of the world-renowned Table Mountain and the Atlantic Seaboard. A visit to BGL Group's Fusion call centre in Cape Town and Fikelela, a charity project supported by Fusion South Africa, are also on the itinerary.

Group Chief Executive Peter Winslow said: "We had a fantastic response to our invitation to take part in the BGL Group Charity Trek in South Africa next year. The trek will certainly be a memorable experience, but will also be a real challenge for those involved. I know colleagues are already thinking up ideas to help the trekkers achieve their fundraising target over the coming months."

Corporate fundraising manager Jon O'Neill said : "This is a mammoth challenge. We've been overwhelmed by the efforts and enthusiasm of the employees at the BGL Group. There is no doubt that the impact of the funds raised by the team will enable the NSPCC to work towards its vision for a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential."

The team includes employees from BGL Group's head office and IT headquarters in Peterborough and contact centres in Bretton, Coventry, Sunderland and Peterlee.

So now the hard work really starts! If you'd like to make a donation to fantastic cause, please log onto the central Just Giving page which has been set up at: www.justgiving.com/BGLcharitytrek

The trekkers from each area are as follows:

Peterborough sites:
Allen Seldon, Alison O'Malley, Andrew Kohter, Anna-Marie MacDonald, Dan Bird, Gillian Bland, Jason Dean, Johanna Beech, Jon Sandall, Katie Patterson, Kirsty Harrison, Laura Donaldson, Lee Johnston, Lynsey Neal, Marc Sumner, Rebecca Wakeham, Shezad Yousaf and Ursuala Gibbs.

Coventry:
Clive Woodcock, Ellie White, James Maltby-Wehner, Joanne Weir, Mark Baker and Rebecca Teasdale.

Peterlee:
Alison Cole, Allison Coils and Ruth Hilland.

Sunderland:
Lee Applegarth, Patrick O'Wellen and Tony Barrett.

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