Many probably wouldn't immediately associate an insurance giant with charitable ventures. But then, Zurich Financial Services doesn't let others' preconceptions stand in its altruistic path. In fact, last year Swindon's Zurich Cares team raised £110,000 for various charities. ANDY TATE reports

ZURICH workers have given thousands of their own hours to help raise thousands of pounds for good causes over the years.

So, on Thursday it was time to recognise their contributions to the greater good.

The financial services company, which employs 14,000 people across the country, held its second annual charity awards to recognise individuals and teams that have made a real difference to people's lives.

At a ceremony in central London last Thursday, several of Zurich's 2,500 Swindon-based employees were congratulated for their work.

Ian Gamble, 53, from Peatmoor, was named the most effective individual volunteer.

Ian, who works in property services, first joined the Zurich Cares Volunteer committee in Swindon in 1993.

He became chairman of the committee the following year and through this role has been responsible for shaping and delivering the broad and active volunteer programme available to staff in Swindon.

Ian and the committee have organised and promoted 13 Annual Challenge volunteering events, and more than 50 team projects have been completed each year.

Lunchtime reading schemes have been established and managed in two schools involving more than 50 regular volunteers and a new mentoring scheme was piloted last year. Ian has also been behind annual parties organised for more than 100 disadvantaged children as well as an integrated sports event.

Sara Codd, manager of Swindon Volunteers, who nominated Ian for the award, said: "He never wavers in his passion and commitment to volunteering and is always looking to push the boundaries of the volunteer programme still further.

"He is full of endless enthusiasm for volunteering and is a model volunteer himself.

"There are so many organisations throughout Swindon that have benefited as a result of Ian's tireless work to promote volunteering and make it as accessible as possible to so many."

Runners-up in the award included Swindon-based David Frak and Jenny Marshall.

David, 18, from Liden, was the youngest volunteer ever to be nominated in his category.

He joined Zurich's HR Services team straight from school last year and immediately threw himself into supporting the charity work of the division, organising events and taking over the running of a book club.

He has also become a regular lunchtime volunteer at Mountford Manor School, helping children who have learning and hearing difficulties to read. He even began to learn sign language to be able to communicate with them better.

David also gets up at 5am on Saturday mornings to help serve breakfast in the Coldfield Community Centre, a shelter in Swindon providing support to homeless people.

David was nominated by his manager, Helen Wilkes, who said: "I'm really impressed with the enthusiasm David has shown to our community work, particularly as he is relatively new to Zurich. He really is a credit to his peers."

Fellow finalist Jenny Marshall, 46, who lives near Chippenham, has always been a keen skier and in March 2000 took a group of 14 children in wheelchairs abroad.

Since then Jenny, who is based in Zurich's community affairs department, has guided people with disabilities on a total of six ski holidays overseas, as well as guiding throughout the year on numerous artificial slopes in the UK.

She has also helped extensively with the Lipnitza Orphanage in Bulgaria, working with the Trussell Trust to take the children to the seaside for a summer camp for two weeks a year. She is planning a third trip this summer.

Jenny was also a finalist in the individual fundraiser category.

The Zurich Cares Swindon Fundraising Committee was named the company's most effective fundraising team.

The committee is made up of volunteers from across the business divisions in Swindon, and last year it raised £110,000 from Swindon staff, with events that included a fashion show, a family football fun day, a golf day and a Christmas party.

The prize was accepted by Committee Chairwoman Lisa Monis, 30, of Old Town, who works in the customer services department in Swindon.

Paul Bentley, chairman of the Zurich Cares fund, who nominated the team, said: "They are a truly dedicated and brilliant team of fundraisers who fully deserve the recognition of this award.

"Due to work and family commitments each event required them to devote significant personal hours, often working late into the night on plans.

"They are meticulous at planning and organisation and truly professional which is reflected in the amazing fundraising results."

Lawrence Churchill, Zurich's chief executive UK, Ireland and International Life, who presented the awards, said: "Supporting local communities through volunteering and giving is firmly established in Zurich's culture.

"We created these awards to show our people that this business values their contribution.

"Our finalists, as well as the 100-plus nominations and the thousands of Zurich employees that regularly give time and money, make a real difference to people's lives."

Andy Tate