The Feeling's Mutual

Old Mutual plc employees have voted for environmental charity Thames21 to receive a donation of £10,000 as part of their Staff Charity Choice programme for 2007.

Helen Wilson, CSR Manager at Old Mutual plc said, "When discussing why Thames21 was chosen the feeling was the donation would benefit local communities and specific projects in a direct way. They were seen to spend the lowest percentage of income on administration and fundraising and some staff felt that this meant more of the money would be going directly to good causes. Old Mutual employees also get a daily reminder of the great work Thames21 as we can see one of their Litter Traps - a device to catch floating litter - cleaning the river outside our office doors. Thames21 makes a real difference to communities local to us."

Leigh McAlea, Communications Manager at Thames21 said, "We were up against some stiff competition and we are delighted that in the staff vote, Thames21 came out as the clear winner. Although conservation has never been more current, clearing up litter is still perceived as the poor cousin to other green issues despite the fact that litter is a key community concern. We are really pleased that Old Mutual have recognised the value in transforming neglected and unloved waterways into cleaner safer spaces we can all use and enjoy."

Ends

For media enquiries contact Leigh McAlea at Thames21 020 7213 0166 / 07875 250 284

Notes to Editors

• Old Mutual plc's Staff Charity Choice Programme runs annually. Charities are chosen by staff and are grouped into three categories: Environmental, Health and Social. Thames21 was grouped with Stop Climate Chaos and WWF UK in the Environment category. A staff member is allocated a charity and they must give a one minute presentation to employees at an Open Forum where a vote is then cast.
• Thames21 is an environmental charity working to bring London's waterways to life. In 2006, Thames21 ran 92 clean ups and worked with 4,024 volunteers on the River Thames, its tributaries and the canal network. www.thames21.org.uk