Aviva Australia today announced that on current estimations its employees will have donated a total of $58,000 by the end of the year towards charitable causes through its workplace giving program.
Aviva Australia today announced that on current estimations its employees will have donated a total of $58,000 by the end of the year towards charitable causes through its workplace giving program.
This is in addition to Aviva’s corporate donation of $67,000, bringing the total donated to an impressive $125,000 for 2003.
Administration of all donations is conducted by Aviva Australia’s staff run Guiding Star Committee. Its chairman, Rob Gill, said the donations support programs run by The Smith Family, CARE Australia, Here for Life, Very Special Kids, Breast Cancer Network Australia and the Australian Conservation Foundation.
"The choice of charities is made by the Guiding Star Committee following an extensive survey of all staff and is designed to cater to a cross section of community organisations, ranging from social support and education to care of the environment," said Rob.
The workplace giving program is in partnership with the Australian Charities Fund, a not-for-profit organisation which helps facilitate the administration of a direct deduction scheme within a company’s payroll. This partnership ensures a greater percentage of donations are passed on to chosen Australian charities, and in a more structured way.
Mr Gill said Aviva’s commitment to social responsibility is also demonstrated by its Staff Volunteering Program.
"Aviva Australia introduced the Guiding Star Staff Volunteering Program in July 2003. It provides an opportunity for us to make an active and positive contribution to the community. All full time employees have the opportunity to spend one day per year volunteering for their chosen community group, charity or not-for-profit organisation," Rob said.
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For further information, please contact:
Rob Gill, Chairman, Guiding Star Committee, tel 9829 8903
Notes to editors:
- Aviva Australia is a group of two specialist financial services companies: Navigator and Norwich Union Life Australia Ltd. Portfolio Partners, the Australian funds management arm of Aviva plc, is a sister company. Through these companies we provide products and services in the areas of wealth creation, wealth management and wealth protection for more than 300,000 customers throughout Australia.
- Globally, Aviva Australia is part of Aviva plc, the world’s seventh largest insurance group, the largest insurer in the UK and one of the top five life companies in Europe. Aviva was formed in May 2000 through the global merger of CGU plc and Norwich Union plc.
- Aviva is the world’s seventh-largest insurance group and the biggest in the UK. It is a leading provider of life and pensions products to Europe and has substantial businesses elsewhere around the world. Its main activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance. It has premium income and investment sales from continuing operations of A$68.32 billion, and more than A$488 billion of assets under management (as at 1 July 2003). The group has more than 59,000 employees and 25 million customers worldwide.