Health insurer marks anniversary with record donation
A number of UK charities are to receive a significant
windfall as part of a record-breaking donation from leading health
insurer Medicash.
The Alzheimer's Society, the Down's Syndrome Association and the
Samaritans are amongst those charities that will each receive a
share of the £270,000 donation from the not-for-dividend
organisation as part of its 135th Anniversary celebrations.
The company enjoys a long history of supporting charitable
causes, contributing almost £77.4 million* to the NHS and related
charities since it was founded in 1871, however the amount of
£270,000 represents the largest ever single award.
Forming the centrepiece of the organisation's 135th anniversary
celebrations a total of 18 charities from across the UK will be
honoured at a gala evening in Liverpool, on Thursday 28 September,
hosted by the BBC's Fiona Bruce.
Medicash Chief Executive Bill Gaywood said: "Medicash was
founded 135 years ago to help the people of Liverpool meet their
healthcare costs. Since then it has played a pivotal role in the
support of affordable healthcare and charitable causes all over the
UK.
"Now in this special anniversary year we feel it is absolutely
the right time to mark it with the donation of our largest single
award. A number of very special charities are set to receive
funding and each has been chosen because of a steadfast commitment
to improving the lives of others and a tireless effort to make a
real difference".
Medicash was originally founded as the Liverpool Hospital
Saturday and Sunday Funds, and later as the Penny in the Pound
fund. Members gave a penny out of every pound they earned with the
payments ensured they could be treated at the voluntary
hospital.
The scheme has grown but remains a not-for-dividend organisation
and is now known as Medicash Health Benefits Limited.
As one of the five largest companies of its kind in Britain,
Medicash now provides health insurance services to over 150,000
members across the UK.
* Equivalent value in current terms