Kwik-Fit Insurance Supports Blantyre Charity's Expansion Plans

LONDON, July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Kwik-Fit Insurance has pledged to raise more than £30,000 for Lanarkshire-based charity The Haven, which will allow it to help hundreds of families cope with serious illness.

Over the next 12 months, staff at the Uddingston-based company will take part in and organise a host of fundraising events, including marathons and parachute jumps, and provide voluntary support for staff at the The Haven, a centre which aims to help families affected by  life-limiting illnesses.

Together with Kwik-Fit Insurance, the charity hopes to raise over £30,000 to pay for a complete refurbishment of the building, a new facility for a permanent children's group and help cover the organisation's £400,000 annual running costs.

The Haven, which is based in Blantyre, is currently celebrating its tenth birthday and helps individuals of all ages affected by a number of conditions ranging from cancer and Parkinson's disease, to motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis.

June Lynch, managing director of Kwik-Fit Insurance, said: "The work The Haven has been doing over the last ten years has really inspired us. Many of our people have been closely affected by the conditions The Haven's staff deal with on a day-to-day basis, so to be able to lend a helping hand is a real honour.

"We actively encourage our people to fundraise for charity and are extremely confident that we can achieve the target and help transform the centre in time for its tenth birthday party later in the year - we can't wait to get started."

Connie Postlethwaite, The Haven's communications and development officer, said: "We are thrilled to have Kwik-Fit Insurance come on board with us - the money raised will make a huge difference. We currently help over 540 families every week, however, with Kwik-Fit Insurance's support we not only hope to improve our current facilities but we also plan to open the centre up to more people, as well as establish a full-time children's group.

"We have wanted to expand our services for a long time and thanks to Kwik-Fit Insurance we will finally be able to make this a reality."

Kwik-Fit Insurance actively encourages its employees to raise money for charitable causes and has raised around £400,000 for various good causes including Kidney Research UK, Rutherglen High School and Diabetes Scotland since 2005.

In addition to this, staff are given three days paid leave each year to take part in charity activities, whether through fundraising events or voluntary work.

Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of Kwik-Fit Insurance.

Note To Editors

**Please note** Kwik-Fit Insurance  is a separately-owned and managed company and distinct from Kwik-Fit, the garage business. Please ensure any information or quotes in this release are attributed to Kwik-Fit Insurance.

Kwik-Fit Insurance was launched in 1995 and has grown to become one of the UK's leading motor insurance distributors, as well as a major presence in home and other insurance markets.

Kwik-Fit Financial Services comprises Kwik-Fit Insurance, The Green Insurance Company and Express Insurance.

Since its launch, Kwik-Fit Financial Services has grown and developed into one of the UK's most dynamic contact centres with around 1,000 employees.

The philosophy of the business is to provide the best possible service to customers.