On Friday 29th February, Hasan Al Moosa, Marketing and Fundraising Manager of the Association of Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs was presented with a cheque for 120,000 OR at the closing ceremony for the BG Energy Challenge 2008 – Oman.

The cheque is the result of the fundraising efforts of the 25 teams who took part in this annual event, a 3-day fundraising and teambuilding event that saw 160 people tackling a series of team challenges through the mountains and beaches of Batinah. The closing ceremony was attended by His Excellency Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, the Minister of Oil and Gas and His Excellency Nasser bin Khamis Al Jashmi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas. His Excellency Minister Rumhy participated in the Directors Challenge and also handed medals and awarded team awards to all the participants.

Receiving the cheque from His Excellency Minister Rumhy and Peter Dranfield VP Middle East, BG Group, Hasan Al Moosa said, “I am delighted that we can now start work on the new centre to provide additional services to children who have special needs. On behalf of all the people who will benefit from this centre, I would like to thank the 160 participants, all of their sponsors and BG Oman, the event sponsor, for their generosity and hard work. You have each made a positive difference to the lives of those who have special needs."

Peter Dranfield, on presenting the cheque said "I am proud that this second BG Energy Challenge - Oman, has been such a success. 120,000 OR is a tremendous donation to this very worthwhile cause and builds on the success of the inaugural BG Energy Challenge in Oman in 2007. Congratulations and thank you to everyone involved. All of the teams, their companies and sponsors, our volunteers, corporate supporters and organising team have each helped ensure the charity can expand its life-changing work. I look forward to seeing you all again next year!"

In congratulating all of the participants, His Excellency Minister Rumhy said "It is my pleasure to support the BG Energy Challenge and all of the companies who have participated in the event. The Energy Challenge provides an opportunity for those of us in the energy sector to work together in support of a very worthwhile local charity. I would like to thank BG Oman for bringing this event to the Sultanate, and I look forward to its continued success."

Also at the closing ceremony, the following prizes were awarded:

Most money raised and overall Challenge winner: HSBC Team 1 (17,500 Omani Rials)
Challenge Points Winner: Desert Wadi Sapte (Denton Wilde Sapte)
Director's Challenge Winner: His Excellency Minister Rumhy
Best team spirit: OGC Spirit Team and OGC Charity Support Team (flying the Oman Gas Company flag very high!)
Most innovative fundraising idea: HSBC Teams 1&2 (auctioned off their annual leave)
Best Team Name: The Bee Gees 'Just about Stayin' Alive! (BG Oman)
In the face of adversity: PTTEP ‘Shams'
Best Team T-shirt: The IMPersonators (BG Group, UK)
Quiz Winners: MB Holdings
Mountain Trek Winners: Stairmasters (Schlumberger)
Beach Course Winners: Linklaters Squadron A

The 25 teams of between 4 and 6 people were from:

Each team took part in a course that saw them trekking 10-20 km over an elevation difference of 1,300 metres, participating in a 5 km beach obstacle course, and taking part in evening team competitions.

The event was sponsored by BG Oman and other sponsors included:
- Oman Oasis for drinking water throughout the event
- Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre for medical support
- Muscat Insurance Company for insurance coverage
- Muscat Pharmacy & Stores LLC for providing Pocari Sweat energising drinks

Anyone interested in making a donation and/or finding out more should contact Michael Crawley at challenge.oman@bg-group.com or on 24485663 or visit www.bg-energychallenge.com

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Notes to Editors:

Logos and further photos available on request.

About BG Group:
BG Group plc (LSE: BG.L) is a world leader in natural gas, with a strategy focused on connecting competitively-priced resources to specific, high-value markets. Active in 27 countries on five continents, BG Group has a broad portfolio of exploration and production, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), transmission and distribution and power generation business interests. BG Group seeks to support the 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 further information, visit www.bg-group.com

About the BG Energy Challenge:
The BG Energy Challenge is an annual test of teamwork and commitment taking place in several countries, drawing support from a wide variety of companies in the energy sector and raising substantial funds for charity. Since 1996, worldwide BG Energy Challenges have contributed US$4 million to charity. For further information, visit www.bg-energychallenge.com

About Muscat Diving & Adventure Centre:
Muscat Diving & Adventure Centre is a registered Tourism Company that constantly strives to provide a new and unique experience for visitors to Oman. It is proactive in running an environmentally-sound business and provides responsible and sustainable tourism, utilising the local labour and resources of the areas in which they operate. As a member of the advisory committee to the Ministry of Tourism, Muscat Diving & Adventure Centre is at the forefront of the industry and best placed to help ensure good practice is adopted across the board and high standards maintained. For further information, visit www.holiday-in-oman.com

About the Association of Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs:
The Association of Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs is an officially registered and recognised charitable organisation. The Association serves children from birth to 6 years, who are at risk or disabled, with a comprehensive early intervention programme that covers social, medical, physical, academic and therapeutic services; with the objective of having the children enrol in regular schools or minimise their disabilities to ensure a better quality of life for them and their families. The Association also undertakes an educational and advocacy role to improve societal awareness of people with special needs. For further information, visit www.aei.org.om.