Local business Opus Energy sponsors two employees to run New York marathon

5th October 2009 - Two employees of a Northampton based business, Opus Energy, a leading independent supplier of electricity to UK businesses, are aiming to raise £3000 for a local charity by running the New York Marathon on Sunday 1st November. Their challenge will form part of a wider pledge by Opus Energy to raise £10,000 for the Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice.

Neil Robinson, a Credit Controller and Tanya Matchett, Credit Control Team Leader for Opus Energy are both novice runners and have never run competitively before.

The pair will be the 7th and 8th employees from Opus Energy to enter the New York marathon as part of an initiative that the company began in 2007. Each year, Opus Energy pays travel costs, hotels, and entry fees for the chosen employees, encouraging them to achieve a challenging personal goal, as well as raise funds for an important local cause.

Neil is preparing for the marathon by running four miles a day, three times a week, with a longer run at weekends. He achieved 14 miles last weekend and is increasing this distance gradually each week.

Neil said, “I’ve watched colleagues return from running the New York marathon for the last two years and talk about what an amazing experience they’ve had. I turned 40 this year and haven’t really pushed myself physically yet, so I wanted to take up the challenge. It’s a great opportunity to raise funds for a good cause and get fit in the process.”

Tanya has been hitting the gym and using a number of training strategies to prepare for the run.

Tanya said, “I’m a complete beginner – when I started I couldn’t even run to the end of my street! So I’ve had to go back to basics and learn a correct running technique with training sessions at the gym. Now I think I’ve caught the running bug – I’ve signed up for more running events, including another marathon next year. I really wanted to help Opus Energy achieve its targets for the Cynthia Spencer Hospice as it’s a great local cause.”

Charlie Crossley Cooke, MD and founder of Opus Energy said:

“This is the third year we have offered Opus Energy employees the opportunity to complete the New York Marathon. It’s a great way to support and raise money for a local charity. We are one hundred percent behind Neil and Tanya and wish them both the best of luck.”

As part of its commitment to support the local community, Opus Energy also recently announced its sponsorship of one of Britain’s most promising young hopes for the London 2012 Olympics, Northamptonshire-based gymnast Daniel Keatings.

Notes to editors

For more information on Opus Energy’s pledge to the Cynthia Spencer Hospice, and Opus Energy’s sponsorship of Daniel Keatings, please visit www.opusenergychallenge.com.

About Opus Energy
Opus Energy is a leading independent supplier of electricity to UK businesses. With offices in Northampton and Oxford, Opus Energy employs over 230 people.

Opus Energy supplies over 50,000 UK business sites across all sectors. Large customers include: Stagecoach, Thorntons, Farmfoods, FirstGroup, and John Lewis.

Opus Energy’s management team has a 50 per cent stake in the business, while International Power Plc (LSE:IPR.L) holds 30 per cent and Telecom Plus Plc (LSE: TEP.L ) has 20 per cent.

For further information about Opus Energy, please see www.opusenergy.com

Contact
Opus Energy
Opus House
285 Banbury Road
Oxford
OX2 7JF

Georgina Ruttle / Leo Wood
FD
T. 0207 269 7255 / 7137
E. georgina.ruttle@fd.com / leo.wood@fd.com

This release was published on openPR.