Police Service sets sail with Capgemini to raise funds for Crimestoppers

[4 August 2008]

Representatives from 20 police services are to set sail to mark the 20th Anniversary of Crimestoppers helping raise over £100,000 for the charity.

The initiative, funded and led by Capgemini, the consulting, technology and outsourcing firm, will see the teams put their nautical talents to the test to be declared winners of the Capgemini Sailing Challenge.

The sailing challenge involving 20 police services will occur over a course of 60 nautical miles and sets sail from the Isle of Wight on 27th September. With all costs covered by sponsor Capgemini, each boat will be competing not only for the finish line but also to raise funds for Crimestoppers. A maximum of £5,000 per boat will be given to Crimestoppers' central office to fund national initiatives with surplus funds directed to regional Crimestoppers boards.

Helen Turnbull, Business Development Director, Capgemini comments: “We are delighted with the response we have received from police services across the UK with an overwhelming 20 forces setting sail in September. Working collaboratively and as a team will be crucial to success in this challenge, something Capgemini has at the heart of its business”.

Michael Laurie CBE, Chief Executive of Crimestoppers, added, “Although we are a nationally recognised brand, very few people actually understand that we are a charity and our reliance on donations and corporate support is crucial to our work. I salute our National Strategic Partner, Capgemini for coming up with such an innovative fundraising challenge which will hopefully bring in some much needed revenue for Crimestoppers. Good luck to all those forces competing!”

Since 1988, Crimestoppers has been a vital piece in the crime-fighting jigsaw, working in partnership with the police and other law enforcement agencies in helping to get serious criminals brought to justice. In addition to its 24-hour call-centre, Crimestoppers runs the hugely successful ‘Most Wanted' website. The charity recently reached an important landmark, when it received its one millionth actionable call, with useful information to be passed onto the police.

The Capgemini Sailing Challenge aims to raise over £100,000 for national initiatives such as the creation of a toolkit for Neighbourhood Policing Teams and further development of the successful Crimestoppers youth website which is doing so much to help to combat the gun and knife culture affecting parts of the country at the moment. It also has an e-mail facility, enabling young people to contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

Those keen to support their local team, should contact the Capgemini Sailing Challenge team on 0870 195 1522 / 0870 195 1273, email Sailing.Challenge@capgemini.com or visit the fundraising website at www.uk.capgemini.com/sailing

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About Capgemini

Capgemini, one of the world's foremost providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services, enables its clients to transform and perform through technologies. Capgemini provides its clients with insights and capabilities that boost their freedom to achieve superior results through a unique way of working - the Collaborative Business Experience - and through a global delivery model called Rightshore®, which aims to offer the right resources in the right location at competitive cost. Present in 36 countries, Capgemini reported 2007 global revenues of EUR 8.7 billion and employs over 83,000 people worldwide. More information is available at www.capgemini.com.

About Crimestoppers

Crimestoppers is an independent charity dedicated to solving crimes and taking criminals off the streets. Around 17 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every five days is charged with murder.

Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received a million actionable calls, resulting in over 86,000 arrests and charges. Over £101 million worth of property has been recovered and over £150 million worth of drugs.

Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.