LSEG launches Charity Trading Day

Apr 02 2012 - 18:00

16/12

2　April　2012

London Stock Exchange Group launches Charity Trading Day　　

- £500,000 expected to be raised for charity
- UK mentoring charity, "Friendship Works" and Italian youth charity, "In-presa" announced as charity partners
-　Market Open Ceremony attended by Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) today announces that it hopes to raise at least £500,000 on its first ever Charity Trading Day. The money raised will be given to the LSE Group Foundation to fund its charitable donations.

Customers and friends of the LSE Group have been encouraged to get involved on the day by taking part in a new online charity trading game. By making an online donation, participants get the chance to win a £2,000 donation of their own to the charity of their choice and the opportunity themselves to open the market. The URL for the game is: https://www.justgiving.com/company/londonstockexchange

Celebrating the launch of the Charity Trading Day at a Market Open Ceremony, the LSEG Foundation announced its new charity partners "Friendship Works" in the UK and "In-presa" in Italy, both of which work with young people.

Richard Turner, the CEO of Friendship Works was joined by Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society to open the market, launching London trading at 8am this morning. Davide Bartesaghi, CEO of In-presa attended a charity breakfast and the unveiling of a new celebratory banner outside Palazzo Mezzanotte, Borsa Italiana's Milan headquarters.

Xavier Rolet, CEO, London Stock Exchange Group said:

"I am delighted to be launching our first ever Charity Trading Day. It is an inspiring demonstration of what LSE Group and our customers can do to support and develop the communities in which we operate.
"The selection of these new charities is an important step in the ongoing development of our Foundation. We will be looking to build long term collaboration between the LSE Group and our employees with these two charities, as well as our existing partner charity in Sri Lanka, as we seek to create a lasting legacy for the work of our Foundation."Richard Turner, CEO of Friendship Works said:

"We're delighted to be chosen by staff at London Stock Exchange Group as their charity partner for the next three years. The children we support face a range of problems, from financial hardship to being young carers, or living in situations with alcohol and drug misuse. The investment and backing of London Stock Exchange Group will make a huge difference to children, families and communities, and help us achieve our ambitious plans to expand our services and improve the lives of many more young Londoners."Nick Hurd MP, Minister for Civil Society said:

"Charities make an immeasurable contribution to the lives of millions of people in our society, but they cannot do it alone. With the potential to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds, Charity Trading Day is an imaginative and exciting way in which the London Stock Exchange can help make this work possible."

The charities will benefit from a three year commitment from LSEG, both financial and in terms of staff engagement. The LSEG Foundation, which is now nearly two years old, will continue to support other charities, via one-off donations, accessed via the Foundation's grant application process.

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Tom Gilbert　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Press Office +44 (0)20 7797 1222

newsroom@londonstockexchange.com