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Press release:

Ref: OGI0191
10th March 2010

Open GI Smash Charity Record with £26,000 donation

Chris Guillaume, Managing Director of Open GI (pictured right) presents a record breaking cheque to Maria Parker,
Area Volunteer Manager, Cancer Research UK

Leading broker software house, Open GI, has presented their largest ever donation to charity, doubling the amount raised in 2009.

The £26,000 raised for Cancer Research UK is the largest donation in the company’s 30 year history. A target was set at the beginning of 2009 of at least £4,000, to which the Open GI Board added a further £4,000 on achieving the target.  Sister company, Towergate Partnership, also contributed to the final donation.

Cancer Research UK is the world's leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research. They support research into all aspects of cancer through the work of more than 4,250 scientists, doctors and nurses.

In order to exceed the target, staff took part in a host of fundraising activities including a Three Peaks Walking Challenge, fancy dress days, themed cake sales and a Christmas raffle with donated prizes totalling £2,000.

Open GI’s staff-nominated charity for 2010 is Midlands Air Ambulance, the only charity responsible for funding and operating three Air Ambulances serving the Midlands and Welsh border region. The target for 2010 has increased to £5,000 due to fundraising success in 2009.

Maria Parker, Area Volunteer Manager, Cancer Research UK, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive such a large donation from Open GI. To have this level of support from Open GI is crucial to the work we do in carrying out vital research into cancer. Thanks to staff at Open GI for their dedication to fundraising and completing so many challenges. It helps take forward our life-saving work.”

Chris Guillaume, Managing Director, Open GI, said: “Given the current economic climate, this is a fantastic achievement and reinforces the dedication made by our staff to the work of Cancer Research UK. I am delighted to be able to donate £26,000 towards life saving research. Charity fundraising is high on our agenda every year, and we are looking forward to supporting Midlands Air Ambulance in 2010.”

For More Information contact:
Stacy Prosser
Marketing Team Leader
Open GI
Tel: 01905 754455
email: stacy.prosser@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.

Cancer Research UK is the world's leading independent organisation dedicated to cancer research. They support research into all aspects of cancer through the work of more than 4,250 scientists, doctors and nurses. Over the past 10 years alone, thousands of lives have been saved through earlier detection and improved treatments. But, much work remains to be done if Cancer Research UK is to achieve the aim of beating cancer.

To find out more about Cancer Research UK, please visit www.cancerresearchuk.co.uk