BG Group, the global natural gas business, has identified two Sparks projects that will benefit from funds raised from its annual BG Energy Challenge – UK event; The Clubfoot project, based at Aberdeen University investigates causes of Clubfoot in Europe and the Pacific, using existing DNA and information from more than 850 families across Europe and Vanuatu. The second project, based at University College London, looks at reasons why as many as 30% of premature babies are prone to neurological problems and go on to develop long-term complications such as brain and lung conditions.
These Sparks projects will benefit from a proportion of the funds raised by teams from across the energy sector at the BG Energy Challenge 2007 – UK, which is taking place in Stirling, Scotland from 5 to 8 July. CARE International, the overseas relief and development charity, will also receive funds raised for this year’s event. Employees from up to 60 companies will face three days of tough physical, mental and strategic challenges all in the aid of raising money for the children’s medical research and overseas development charities.
Dr Zosia Miedzybrodzka, from Medical Genetics Laboratories, Aberdeen University, said:
“We are delighted to have been selected to benefit from some of the funds raised. Clubfoot is a common inborn problem of uncertain cause. With Sparks we have been able to establish the largest DNA based study of clubfoot in the world. With our expertise and recent advances in genetics and epidemiology, the funds put us in a unique position to make discoveries that will lead to better treatments and possible prevention to improve the quality of life for thousands of children.”
Martin Johnson, Vice President of Sparks and 2003 World Cup winning England rugby captain said:
“We are extremely grateful that BG Group has chosen to give their support to these two projects ensuring the continuation of this vital research. Our mission is for all babies to be born healthy and stay healthy and money raised from the BG Energy Challenge 2007 – UK event will help us to fund vital medical research which will hopefully allow the next generation to have the same opportunities that many of us have been able to enjoy. The support of organisations like BG is particularly important to us because so much cutting edge paediatric research in the UK today depends on charities like Sparks rather than the public purse.”
Whilst networking and challenging industry peers at the BG Energy Challenge 2007 - UK, the teams are committed to raising a minimum of £5,000 each for charity. They will have the choice of donating all of their funds to one of the charities or can choose to split them equally between the two. In 2006, total funds raised in the UK reached more than £200,000 and with this year’s field expected to be the largest yet, this amount will undoubtedly be surpassed.
Since 1996 BG Energy Challenge events have raised over £2.7 million for charities worldwide. Events have been held in Brazil, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Trinidad & Tobago, Oman and the US, while a further event is planned in India.
Those associated with the energy industry wishing to take part and help with the fundraising can register online at: www.bg-energychallenge.com
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Notes to editors
BG Group
BG Group plc is a global natural gas business. Active on five continents in 25 countries, it operates four business segments - Exploration and Production, LNG, Transmission and Distribution and Power. BG Group seeks to support social and economic development in the communities where it does business by providing structured funding for community initiatives that match its skills transfer theme. For more information, visit www.bg-group.com
BG Group’s sponsorship portfolio is called Energy for life. The BG Energy Challenge series is one of four sponsorships that make up the Energy for life portfolio. For further information visit www.bg-group.com/sponsorship
About CARE International
CARE International is one of the top three overseas development agencies in the world. We fight poverty and injustice in 70 countries, helping over 48 million people each year to find routes out of poverty. We are also recognised for our rapid response to emergencies. When disasters strike, we make sure that aid gets to where it is needed most. For more information, visit www.careinternational.org.uk.
About Sparks
Sparks is unique. It isn’t a single cause charity. Sparks is the only charity to fund cutting edge research across the whole spectrum of paediatric medicine. Working with doctors and scientists at leading universities and teaching hospitals across the UK, Sparks research work encompasses childhood cancers, childhood arthritis, meningitis, spina bifida, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, the risks associated with premature birth and many other conditions affecting babies and children in the early years of life. Sparks has already committed over £13 million to fund more than 170 research projects with the aim of giving more children the best of all starts in life…a healthy one.
About Intelligent Sport
Intelligent Sport® is the fastest growing team development concept, in the world - specifically designed for business. Its primary aim is to give companies and their key people, first hand experience of the Power of teamwork drawing on strategy, intellect & physical ability to teach the skills required for effective teamwork and to give them the inspiration to make a difference to their performance. For more information, visit www.intelligentsport.com
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