BUPA searches for a new charity partner for the Great Runs

Bupa, the leading health and care company, is looking for a new charity partner for the 2009 Great Run series,

which includes the Great North Run, the largest half marathon in the world, sponsored by Bupa for the past 16 years.

Marie Curie Cancer Care has been Bupa's nominated charity for the last three years.

In 2006 and 2007 the charity received ?2.3 million thanks to the partnership and is set to raise even more money this year.

Participants in the 10 Great Runs taking place across the UK each year are encouraged to raise money in support of the nominated charity.

Bupa also encourages its 40,000 employees in the UK to fundraise for its partner charity.

The Bupa Great North Run is the flagship event of the Great Run Series.

As the world's biggest half-marathon, it attracts over 50,000 fun run entries, as well as international athletes and many well-known celebrities.

It achieves high-level media coverage, securing over four hours of coverage on BBC 1 on race day, as well as appearing across other media outlets.

The race presents the perfect opportunity for a charity to receive widespread media coverage.

The successful new charity partner will need to represent a good strategic fit for Bupa.

The company is looking for a UK-registered charity that has a health-related connection to some aspect of Bupa's products and services, which range from private medical insurance and health assessments to caring for older people in one of the company's 303 care homes in the UK.

Nicole Humphreys, community affairs manager, explains: "We are looking to support a new partner that has similar values to Bupa in promoting positive health and wellbeing.

We want to work closely with our new nominated charity and for the relationship to be mutually beneficial.

Our aim is that together we will build relationships with local communities, enhance Bupa's medical credentials and provide the charity with promotional, sales and corporate hospitality opportunities.

The chosen charity will also have the option to purchase 300 guaranteed entries for the Bupa Great North and an additional 'Level 1' charity upgrade package from the race organisers, which will entitle them to a further 300 places.

The charity will also have an opportunity to acquire its own 'cheering point' at the Great North run and will gain publicity from several advertising boards at all Great Run events.

The deadline for receipts of Request For Proposal response is Friday 29th August 2008.

Suitable candidates will be put on a short list on Tuesday 2nd September who will then be asked to give a presentation to Bupa on week commencing 15th September.

The final decision will be announced on Monday 22nd September 2008.

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