SWINDON, 5 December - Paul Bentley, from Stratton St. Margaret in Swindon, has been voted the South West Area Employee Volunteer of the Year in the Whitbread Volunteer Action Awards 2001. Her Royal Highness, Princess Michael of Kent, presented Paul with his award at a ceremony in London today.
Paul was recognised for his commitment to volunteering. Each year, Paul gives around 700 hours of his free time helping such organisations as the Swindon Samaritans. He takes phone calls, answers e-mails, sees clients face to face, and helps to train new volunteers. At the Broadgreen Breakfast Club, Paul serves breakfast to homeless people every Monday morning before work and has befriended many of the regular visitors there.
But it doesn't stop there. At work, as Marketing Manager at Zurich Financial Services main office in Swindon, he is one of the most active volunteers for Zurich Cares - Zurich's local community involvement programme where he serves on three committees and helps organise team challenges.
Paul commented: "I am deeply passionate about being able to make a difference and to reach out to those most in need of a helping hand, particularly those at a point of crisis in their lives".
"Paul's energy, enthusiasm and commitment make Paul stand out," commented Chris Staples, Director of Community Affairs at Zurich. "He encourages staff to think bigger and better. And he quietly urges people to support less popular causes and those in desperate need".
Angela Cottle, Director of The Samaritans in Swindon, said, "Paul's sensitivity and genuine motivation to help people makes him so good at what he does. He cares very deeply, and goes out of his way to make things happen".
The Whitbread Volunteer Action Awards 2001 has been timed to coincide with International Volunteers day and is the culmination of UN International Year of Volunteers.
Also today, Zurich Financial beat 24 other companies to win the prestigious Company of the Year Award for Zurich Cares, their community involvement programme.
ENDS
Note to Editors
The Zurich Financial Services Group (www.zurich.com) is a global leader in the financial services industry, providing its customers with integrated and web-enabled solutions in the area of financial protection and asset accumulation. The Group concentrates its activities in five business segments: non-life and life insurance, reinsurance, Farmers Management Services, and asset management. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, the Group's worldwide presence builds on strong positions in its three key markets - the United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. It has offices in more than 60 countries serving 35 million customers and employing approximately 70,000 people. Based on consolidated figures for 2000, the Group achieved gross premiums of USD 50 billion. This amount includes insurance deposits as well as premiums from the Farmers P&C Group.
The net income amounted to USD 2.33 billion. On December 31, 2000, the Group had USD 440 billion of assets under management of which USD 259 billion represent funds managed for third-party institutional and retail customers.
Zurich Financial Services (UKISA) is part of the Zurich Financial Services Group and comprises the Group's operations in the UK, Ireland and South Africa.
Zurich Financial Services (UKISA) Community Trust is a registered charity funded by pre-tax profits and by donations from staff and financial advisers. Almost one third of the staff are involved in volunteering activities, contributing 20,000 hours annually. Since 1972, over £33 million has been donated to voluntary organisations in the UK and overseas. Nearly £5.1 million was donated last year alone. The Zurich Trust has been recognised for its work, winning the Whitbread Volunteer Action 'Company of the Year' Award and receiving the Programme Impact Mark for its India Programme from Business in the Community.
For further information, please contact:
Kate Hodges, Zurich Financial Services on 01793 514 514
