United & Aon Join Forces

Aon Corporation (NYSE:AON), the world’s leading risk advisor and human capital consultant, has kicked off its four-year shirt sponsorship of Manchester United with a programme of global charity initiatives designed to promote youth development and healthier communities.

The sponsorship and charity campaign were launched at Old Trafford this morning by executives of Aon and Manchester United, alongside club legends Sir Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson and Quinton Fortune.

"Based on our shared values of leadership, teamwork and a passion for excellence, it is difficult to imagine a stronger fit for Aon than Manchester United," said Aon Corporation president and chief executive Greg Case. "Through the global charitable initiatives of Aon’s 36,000 colleagues, we will work with our partners at Manchester United and the Manchester United Foundation to promote these values and create positive opportunities for young people, to enable them to thrive and to help improve their communities."

United chief executive officer David Gill said: "This event is an indication of how Aon is committed to developing the partnership way beyond a simple commercial arrangement. In the coming years, I hope we will be able to build a tangible legacy for the Manchester United community both here in the north west and further afield. I am delighted Aon wants to get its whole worldwide workforce involved. I'm sure it will really bring the sponsorship to life for many of them."

To mark the start of the sponsorship, the first charity event involved more than 150 of Aon’s Manchester-based colleagues and their families. They participated in a penalty shootout challenge at Old Trafford for the Manchester-based The Christie charity, a leading cancer centre that treats more than 40,000 patients a year.

The Aon Foundation donated £25,000, of which £3,500 came from the penalty challenge, to The Survivorship Programme of The Christie, which helps young people progress in their educational and career goals and receive life skills and support following cancer treatment.

The Christie chief executive Caroline Shaw said: "Having cancer at any age is traumatic, but it is especially difficult for young people when they still have their whole lives ahead of them. This generous support will help them have the successful and fulfilling life that they deserve after cancer."

Case added: "Throughout our offices around the world [more than 500], Aon colleagues are joining today’s fundraising through an 'Aon United REDy Day' campaign, which includes raising money for local charities by wearing Manchester United shirts or red clothes for the day. Aon is an organisation that is truly committed to strengthening communities by sharing our human, intellectual and financial resources. We believe that through this ongoing programme of charitable initiatives we can make a positive difference in people's lives."

Forthcoming Aon charity initiatives include Aon United Day on 15 July 2010, which will involve Aon’s global colleagues in over 120 countries participating in fundraising and volunteer activities, including supporting hundreds of schools, children’s hospitals, orphanages and community centres, as well as high-profile organisations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters Clubs, Junior Achievement, Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics, UNICEF, United Way and the YMCA.

In Botswana, Aon colleagues will partner with the House of Hope orphanage by providing furniture donations and helping to clean and improve the facility. In Singapore, Aon volunteers will host an indoor football match for the young people served by Boys’ Town and will support the organisation’s new building fund. Aon Bangalore has "adopted" a local elementary school that it will support throughout the coming year with both charitable donations and volunteer service. In Bolivia, Aon colleagues will donate to Hogar de Ninos Alalay, helping to plant trees on the orphanage grounds and creating art projects with the children who live there. In Sacramento, California, Aon colleagues are partnering with Project 680 by collecting hygiene supplies to distribute to homeless youth. In the Netherlands, Aon colleagues will participate in a charity bike ride and sell Right to Play merchandise to help raise funds for youth sports programmes in disadvantaged areas.

For more information on the Aon Manchester United sponsorship, visit www.aon.com/unitedin2010