Kingston insurer’s staff celebrate year of charity - Press Release

On Wednesday 30 September, Combined Insurance closed 12 months of fundraising for The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign with a cheque presentation. Throughout the year, the staff have raised £7363 which the accident and healthcare provider has agreed to match in full and round up - making a total donation of £15,000.

In August 2008, the Kingston insurer’s staff voted for The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign to be the company’s first corporate charity. Since then, they have taken part in activities including sponsored silences, cake sales and taking part in the Great South Run to support their chosen cause. One employee also completed a 300-mile bike journey from London to Paris, raising £2500 for the cancer charity.

The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign supports the work of The Royal Marsden Hospital.

To mark the close of the fundraising, Combined Insurance’s staff celebrated Marsden Day as employees pulled out all the stops to raise every penny possible. After sponsored waxing, juggling and a Jaffa Cake eating contest, almost £700 was added to the collection pot.

Sue Bertlin, Executive Vice President – European Operations, commented: “The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign has been a natural fit for Combined Insurance. Cancer is an illness that is always in our minds and, in 2008 when the staff selected the charity, the company also launched a dedicated Cancer Support Plan. The Royal Marsden has been Combined Insurance’s first charity of the year and everyone has made an amazing effort to raise as much as possible. We are glad to support such a good cause and hope our donations will help make it easier for them to further their great work.”

For more information, or to arrange interviews please contact:
Christopher Fry / Regina Vernadaki
Corporate Communications, Combined Insurance
020 8541 6248 / 020 8541 6222
christopher.fry@uk.combined.com / regina.vernadaki@uk.combined.com

---

1. Since 1919, Combined Insurance (www.combinedinsurance.co.uk) has specialised in bringing affordable, quality insurance products to individuals and families - and currently provides supplemental disability, accident, health and life cover to over 3.5 million policyholders. Combined Insurance has never forgotten its roots and today still provides a face-to-face service in local communities – just as it has done for the last 90 years. Combined Insurance is a member of the ACE Group of Companies.

2. About ACE - The ACE Group of Companies is a global leader in insurance and reinsurance serving a diverse group of clients. Headed by ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE), a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index, the ACE Group of Companies conducts its business on a worldwide basis with operating subsidiaries in more than 50 countries.  Additional information can be found at www.acelimited.com.

The Royal Marsden opened its doors in 1851 as the world’s first hospital dedicated to cancer treatment, research and education.

Today, together with its academic partner, The Institute of Cancer Research, it is the largest and most comprehensive cancer centre in Europe treating over 40,000 patients every year.  It is a centre of excellence, and the only NHS Trust to achieve the highest possible ranking in the Healthcare Commission’s Annual Health Check for the third year in a row.

Since 2004, the hospital’s charity, The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign, has helped raise over £43 million to build theatres, diagnostic centres, and drug development units.

Prince William became President of The Royal Marsden in 2007, following a long royal connection with the hospital.