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Press release:

Ref: OGI0216
2nd June 2010

Open GI Employees Prepare for Charity Cycle Challenge

Open GI “Hadrian’s Crawl” Team. From Left to right: Julian Slaughter, Colin Reader, Paul Davies,
Will Duckworth, Steve Taylor and Mike Peters

A group of employees at leading software house Open GI, have set themselves another demanding challenge to raise vital charity funds for Midlands Air Ambulance in 2010.

Open GI employees are aiming to raise £5,000 during 2010 for the charity, responsible for funding and operating three Air Ambulances serving the Midlands and Welsh border region, to which the Open GI Board will add a further £5,000 if this pledge is reached.

The group, led by Technical Consultant Julian Slaughter, (pictured far left), are taking part in the strenuous Hadrian’s Wall Cycle Challenge, which involves cycling coast to coast following the historic landmark of Hadrian’s Wall in 24 hours. The challenge, taking place on 31st July, will begin in Silloth and end 118 miles away in South Shields.

Last month, two employees completed a marathon challenge in Stratford. Andy Maybury completed the full marathon in 3 hours 29 minutes and Tony Aslett completed the half marathon in 2 hours 27 minutes. Both, who are Business Analysts for Open GI, raised a total of £800 for the chosen charity.

Many other fundraising activities are planned for 2010.

Midlands Air Ambulance carries out approximately 3,500 life-saving missions each year and has completed in excess of 30,000 to date. The charity needs to fundraise £6 million each year to support the work of the helicopter service.

Chris Guillaume, Managing Director, Open GI, said: “It’s pleasing to see that staff are setting themselves further testing challenges this year. In 2009 the Three Peaks Challenge was an enormous success, helping us to exceed our annual target. Andy and Tony’s marathon achievement was a superb effort and provides an excellent start to our 2010 fundraising for Midlands Air Ambulance.”

For more information about the Hadrian’s Wall Challenge please go to www.hadrianscrawl.co.uk

For More Information about Open GI:
Adele Clarkson
Marketing and PR Manager
Open GI
Tel: 01905 754455
email: adele.clarkson@opengi.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

Open GI supplies market leading IT solutions to insurance brokers across the UK & Ireland. With 25,000 users in around 2,000 firms, the company has a 40% share of the UK broker market and is committed to technological innovation. Open GI technology enables personal and commercial lines brokers trading in standard and niche markets to streamline business activity and become more profitable. With a workforce of 300 people and a 30 year heritage, the company enjoys a strong financial performance. For the year ended 31 st May 2007 Open GI reported revenues of £27.3 million and an operating profit of £13.6 million.