OilVoice - Sir Geoff Hurst Launches Energy Industry Fundraising Challenge

Sir Geoff Hurst Launches Energy Industry Fundraising Challenge

Friday, January 29, 2010

Sir Geoff Hurst MBE, football legend and charity campaigner, last night launched the BG Energy Challenge 2010 - UK, the largest annual team building and fundraising event for the energy industry. Sir Geoff, Ambassador for this year's event, attended the launch reception in London, where corporate teams associated with the energy sector were invited to sign up, network with other participants and find out more about the event and benefiting charities. The Energy Institute was also announced as the official media partner to the BG Energy Challenge 2010 - UK at the launch.

The BG Energy Challenge - UK, hosted by BG Group, a world leader in natural gas, is taking place from 8 to 10 July 2010 in Aviemore, Scotland. Now in its fifteenth year, BG Group hopes to build on the £2.3 million raised by the UK event to date. Money raised from the UK event will again be supporting two charities; the children's medical research charity Sparks, who will benefit for the fourth successive year, and CARE International, the overseas development agency which has been involved since the inaugural event in 1996.

Sir Geoff Hurst MBE, hat-trick hero of England's winning 1966 World Cup team and 2010 President of charity Sparks said:
'I'm delighted to support the BG Energy Challenge which has raised more than £5.4 million for charities around the world. The UK event is a true test of stamina and the sense of achievement is fantastic. I am personally looking forward to taking part in July and experiencing the event for myself. The rewards for charities such as Sparks, who are solely reliant on the donations of organisations like BG Group, are invaluable.'

In 2009 a record £274,000 was raised by 45 teams with all the action captured for Channel 4's Intelligent Sport® World Series.

Speaking at the launch Mark McCarthy, Head of Brand Communications, BG Group, said:
'We're pleased to have Sir Geoff Hurst's support and I am sure this will once again prove to be an outstanding year, both in terms of participants and, more importantly, the money raised for our charities. The event provides a unique platform for team building, networking and fundraising in an environment like no other!'

This year teams will face a range of physical, intellectual and strategic challenges including orienteering, mountain biking, kayaking and construction in and around Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands. They will be joined by senior executives from their companies for a thrilling Leaders' stage. The event will test their teamworking and communication skills to the limit.

Companies associated with the energy industry wishing to take part and help with the fundraising can apply online now at www.bg-energychallenge.com/uk and receive regular updates by following http://twitter.com/BG_Challenge_UK