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Press release:

Ref: OGI0142
26th January 2008

Record Breaking Donation for St. Richard’s Hospice

Chris Guillaume, Managing Director of Open GI (pictured left) presents a record breaking cheque to Tricia Cavell,
Fundraising Manager at St. Richard’s Hospice

Open GI, one of Worcester’s largest employers, has tripled its 2008 charity target by raising in excess of £14,800 for St. Richard’s Hospice.

The donation is the largest of its kind to be awarded to the local charity which is celebrating 25 years of care this year.

The 300 strong workforce at Open GI, in its 30th year of supplying IT solutions to insurance brokers, made the commitment to the charity last year. They pledged to raise at least £3,500, to which the company would add a further £3,500 on achieving the target.

Sister company, Towergate Partnership Limited, Europe’s largest privately owned insurance entity, also contributed to the final donation.

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

St Richard’s Hospice cares for patients and families who are living with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. Each year they give free care and support to around 1,800 patients and families helping them towards the best quality of life possible

Tricia Cavell, Fundraising Manager, St. Richard’s Hospice, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive such a large donation from a local company. It’s the biggest corporate donation we have received since we opened! The dedication and effort that all of the Open GI employees put in to raise such a significant amount is overwhelming and we can not thank them enough. To have the support of key businesses in the community is essential as it helps us to continue to provide the best level of specialist care for patients and families.”

Chris Guillaume, Managing Director, Open GI, said: “I am exceptionally proud of the efforts our staff have made in raising such a large donation, especially in the current economic climate. It is with great pleasure that our business has been able to help St Richard’s Hospice continue to provide excellent care and support to the local community.”

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.

St Richard’s Hospice, at Wildwood Drive, Worcester, contains an In-patient Unit, Day Hospice, Home Care Team, Counselling and Bereavement support, Social Work,
Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Complementary Therapies, Hospice at Home, Snowdrop Group, Chaplaincy, 24 hour telephone support helpline, and the Education & Resource Centre. All the services are free and each year St Richard’s cares for in the region of 1,700 patients and families.

To find out more about St Richard’s Hospice, please visit www.strichards.org.uk