7 February 2002, London - Zurich Financial Services has launched an ambitious project to raise £2 million over the next two years to target the lives of socially, physically or mentally disadvantaged youngsters throughout the UK and abroad.
The Zurich Advice Network Foundation Kids2care4 campaign is committed to giving young children up to the age of 18 the opportunity to enjoy a better life by providing innovative and exciting opportunities and experiences.
The money will be raised primarily through the fundraising efforts of Zurich's 4,500 franchise network advisers and Business Centre staff, who will be organising and participating in events such as raffles, golf days and marathons to meet their goal.
The initiative follows a similar campaign co-ordinated by the Foundation over the last two years, which successfully raised and distributed £2 million to 95 children's projects around the country and overseas, including four major grants of £100,000 to the Children's Adventure Farm Trust in the North West, the Thames Valley Adventure Playground, the Percy Hedley Centre in Newcastle and the Children's Clinic in Brighton. The money has also helped to buy special minibuses, medical equipment, hydrotherapy pools, adventure playgrounds and fund several children's hospices.
Foundation Manager Midge Story said: "We can look back on the achievements of the past two years with pride. Members of our franchise network have raised this staggering sum through sheer hard work and determination, with numerous examples of personal triumph and team achievements - such as the 72 brave cyclists who spent six exhausting days cycling across California to raise over £200,000 for the Foundation.
"It is partly their continued willingness and enthusiasm to give up precious personal time and put something back into the community which has encouraged us to embark on a second campaign for a further two years.
"Every child deserves a good start in life. Kids2care4 aims to ensure more children can look forward to a secure, happy future. Our focus is on funding innovative ideas that have regional or national impact and which can be copied elsewhere. I have every confidence that our advisers will rise to this challenge and meet our new target by the conclusion of this initiative in 2003."
ENDS
Editors Note
- The Foundation invites applications from any charity or voluntary organisation - supported by a member of the Zurich Advice Network - which helps socially, mentally or physically disadvantaged young children up to the age of 18.
- Most of the funding allocation is divided between the sales regions and groups and is based on the level of fund raising in the previous year. For example, a sales region raising 10% of funding in one year would receive 10% of the total available the following year.
- Each grant application passes through a four-stage grant selection process that includes a project visit.
- Local grants for 2002 need to be applied for by 1 May 2002.
- Local grants for 2003 need to be applied for by 31 March 2003.
The Zurich Financial Services Group (www.zurich.com) is a global leader in integrated financial services, providing its customers with solutions in the areas of financial protection (non-life insurance and structured solutions) and asset gathering (life insurance and asset management). The Group focuses its activities on the key markets of North America, UK, Switzerland and Europe, as well as selected other markets where it has or can reach a competitive position. Founded in 1872, Zurich is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It has offices in more than 60 countries and employs approximately 70,000 people.
Zurich Advice Network Foundation is part of Zurich Financial Services, (UKISA) which is part of the Zurich Financial Services Group and comprises the Group's operations in the UK, Ireland and International Businesses.
Media information:
Midge Story 01793 505780
Kitty Barran 020 7317 3840
