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Press release:

Ref: OGI0321
16th January 2012

Open GI raise over £13k for Dedicated Breast Unit Campaign

Chris Guillaume, CEO of Open GI (pictured left) presents the cheque at the new site of the dedicated breast unit to Steven Thrush, leader of the team of consultant breast surgeons at The Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign

Leading Worcester employer, Open GI, has more than doubled its 2011 charity target by raising a total of £13,762.82 for The Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign.

Throughout 2011, employees at Open GI have been raising valuable funds to support local plans to build a new dedicated breast unit, at the Worcester Royal Hospital. They pledged to raise at least £5,250, with the Open GI Board adding a further £5,250 if the target was achieved.

The Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign is a registered charity with the aim of raising £1.8 million to fund the establishment of a new, dedicated Breast Unit for use by women and men across Worcestershire for all breast related issues.

Over the past 6 years, Open GI has donated over £83,000 to local and national charities with the help of staff who take part in a host of fundraising activities. This year’s events included; the challenging 26.2 mile Eden Project marathon, the Stratford half marathon and a 13 mile sponsored River Wye kayaking challenge, alongside dress down days, themed cake sales and a Christmas Charity Raffle with donated prizes from Open GI customers and suppliers totalling over £2,000 in value.

Steven Thrush, the leader of the team of consultant breast surgeons and originator of the project, commented: “Almost 500 people in Worcestershire are diagnosed with breast cancer every year so donations such as these are vital to provide the new dedicated Breast Care Unit. We see a total of around 6,000 people every year and the new unit will make their experience much more comfortable and much less stressful.

We would like to thank Open GI employees for raising such a substantial amount. These types of fundraising efforts really inspire others to help us reach our target of £1.8 million."

Chris Guillaume, CEO, Open GI, said: “I am inspired and extremely proud of the continued effort, generosity and hard work that Open GI staff have shown during 2011. They raised an impressive amount of money for our chosen charity and I am delighted that our business has been able to help The Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign with its vision to provide a new unit to offer local patients care and support."

For More Information about Open GI:
Adele Clarkson
Marketing and PR Manager
Open GI
Tel: +44 (0)1905 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 20,000 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 350 people and a 30-year heritage, the company enjoys a strong financial performance. For the year ended 31st May 2010 Open GI reported revenues of £35.0 million and an operating profit of £21.1 million.