Team Chaucer 2009 Total Objects Insurance Industry Challenge Champions

Event Report

The 4th annual Total Objects Insurance Industry Challenge brought together more than 200 industry professionals to compete in a three part, physical challenge in the London Docklands.  The teams had to endure a 2km team run around the docks, a 5k cycle relay (far, far harder than it looked) as well as the thrilling dragon boat races.

The day started with team dragon boat safety briefings before competition commenced.  The insurance teams rotated through the three activities, the cycling creating the greatest noise from teams willing on their team mates.  Chaucer took maximum points for the Dragon Boat race, Hardy group for the 2km team run and the graduates for the cycle relay.

The competition for the day wrapped up with a dragon boat regatta, the six fastest boats qualifying for the grand final.  Not about brute strength, success in this event is all about team work and co-ordination.  Chaucer (part of the winning lastminute.com boat last year) were delighted to lead the field and retain the Dragon Boat title in a time of 1.19.26 just less than ? of a second behind were the Hardy Group and just ? second behind them, GCube.  Once all activities were completed the points were totalled and the overall Total Objects Insurance Industry Challenge winner for 2009, with a clear margin of 9 points was Chaucer. For full details of results follow the link. Results

Appealing to the competitive nature of the teams and just for fun the surprise event of a tug of war was added.  To rapturous encouragement from the audience, all teams tugged it out to find another champion.  Victory this time was secured by Gcube who were able to celebrate with their prize of a round of drinks at the bar.

By popular demand the Shaolin Lion Dance team were back followed by the gourmet BBQ accompanied by Jazz from the delightful and talented Sax in the City.

The day was particularly enjoyed by the children from Stepping Stones School who came as guests.  Stepping Stones is a school where children with mild disabilities / hemiplegia can really thrive and fulfil their potential. www.steppingstones.org.uk 

Participants gathered in the marquee to listen to Larry Sullivan, Director of Total Objects and founder of the COINS Foundation.  Larry explained that the insurance and construction industry through the challenge event series are making a real and significant difference.  Well guided by its patrons, Lord Joel Joffe and Professor Paul Collier the focus of the COINS Foundation is to build schools, hospitals and homes in stable economic and political locations. Larry emphasised that every penny raised through the six challenge events supporting the foundation is spent directly on projects. The insurance industry to date has raised over ?200,000.

Ric Law, CEO COINS Foundation expanded on this message, he outlined the dangers and limitations of aid, and whilst essential to support disaster situations in many communities it has created an aid dependency culture.  Ric went on to explain that the legacy of the COINS Foundation will be more than the buildings that are left behind; it will be the transformation from aid dependant groups into viable, self sustaining communities through the implementation of community development plans that are required to create thriving communities (e.g. agriculture, micro finance and insurance plans).  For more details on specific COINS Foundation projects visit www.coinsfoundation.org

Jim Barry, Total Objects Managing Director presented the awards in all three individual events and to the overall challenge winners Chaucer.  The highest fundraising pledges were also recognised.  The pledges made by teams amounts to over ?35,000.00.  Our congratulations to Tawa who are currently the highest fundraisers, RiverStone and  Antares (last year?s winners) who are in close pursuit.  The final fundraising awards, based on actual funds collected will be announced on the 30th November 2009.  Presentations of the very fabulous Dragon Trophy and the runner up trophies will be personally presented on a date and venue to be announced, this side of Christmas.  You can keep an eye on the fundraising league by following the link. Fundraising

Our thanks to all who participated in making the second London based event such a success.  It was particularly pleasing to meet new insurance teams from Ark, Hardy Group, RiverStone and Tawa and great to see Roddy Caxton-Spencer and Andrew Whiting from BESSO, Kevin Collins from GCube, Paul Bennett and Cliff Browne from Oliva and the whole office from Tawa who all joined us to support the teams.

A very big thank to all team leaders Ark Syndicate Management, Anna Pearce; Antares Management Solutions, Vicky Grimshaw;  BESSO Group, Andrew Whiting; COINS and OASIS, Lucy Apsey; Chaucer Plc, Steve Trautner; Fusion Experience, Lisa Tye; GCube, Kevin Collins; The Graduates, Hugo Fonseca;  Hardy Underwriting Group, Emma Watson and Sarah Jane Freer; Just Giving, Gemma Randall; RiverStone Insurance, Alan Dennison and Tawa Management Christine Weemes.

We can all look forward to a bigger and more challenging event next year. If you would like to take in 2010 you can register for a place by following the link. Register Here