More than 30 companies from within the energy industry will arrive in Stirling, Scotland tomorrow for the start of the BG Energy Challenge 2007 - UK which is taking place from 5-8 July. The annual event, hosted by global natural gas business BG Group, will see nearly 200 participants take on a series of tough physical, mental and strategic challenges all in the aid of raising money for CARE International and Sparks, the chosen overseas development and children's medical research charities.
This is the first time the BG Energy Challenge - UK, organised in collaboration with Challenger World, has been held in Scotland. Set within the Highlands of Stirling with its extreme and diverse weather conditions, the participants can expect to face a range of tasks as diverse as kayaking and mountain biking to code breaking and complex construction.
Mark Bamber, Captain of the team from BG Group's Aberdeen Office said:
"I am delighted to be participating for a second successive year and representing BG Group in the BG Energy Challenge. Undoubtedly the challenges I face will be demanding but moreover the experiences I gain will make it an unforgettable weekend. It is a great opportunity to develop even better relationships with my colleagues, network with employees within the industry and most importantly, raise funds for CARE International and Sparks.
"Having earned the nickname 'Aberdeen Submariners' after an impressive capsize during last year's kayaking event, we have prepared this year by practicing on the River Dee to improve our canoeing skills, particularly buoyancy and keeping upright. I just hope one of the challenges this year allows us to use our new capabilities!"
In addition to networking and challenging industry peers, the teams, made up of six employees from all levels of the business, have each committed to raising a minimum of £5,000 for charity. Pledged funds this year have already exceeded the £205,000 raised at last year's event in Aberystwyth, Wales, taking the total for the worldwide series to more than £3 million.
Whilst Stirling will host the largest team building event for the energy sector, a local charity project will also benefit from the longer-lasting legacy the BG Energy Challenge leaves. The charity, 'Exploring causes of clubfoot in Europe and the Pacific' based at Aberdeen University will be one of two Sparks projects to benefit directly from funds raised.
The BG Energy Challenge series has been running worldwide since 1996. Events have been held in Brazil, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Trinidad & Tobago, Oman and the US, while a further event is planned in India.
For further information and results, please visit www.bg-energychallenge.com
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 165 research projects with the aim of giving more children the best of all starts in life…a healthy one. For more information, visit www.sparks.org.uk
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
|
