Community Ties
We are proud to be based in sunny Southend-on-Sea in Essex. Most of our staff come from the surrounding area, and they are in good company because a number of famous faces come from Southend too! Helen Mirren, Lee Evans, Phil Jupitus, Lee Mead, Kara Tointon (Dawn in Eastenders) and Emma Chambers (ditzy Alice in The Vicar of Dibley) all come from our seaside town!
We are proud of our community - that's why we like to help causes that are close to our heart, and that play a key role in our town.
Southend United Football Club
In 2006 InsureandGo became the main sponsors of Southend United Football Club. We are proud to be associated with the town's football team and many of our staff are avid supporters. The Club has been at the heart of the town since 1906 when Oliver Trigg, the landlord of the Blue Boar pub in Southend's Victoria Avenue, founded the Club with some fellow soccer enthusiasts. Since then there has been many highs and lows in the Club's history… who can forget Freddie Eastwood's free kick that beat Man United in the 4th round of the Carling Cup in 2006?
Southend Rugby Club
Founded in 1870 Southend Rugby Club is one of the oldest rugby clubs in the UK. Although it's well established now it took 87 years before it got its own clubhouse! Purchased for just £85 it remained the clubhouse for 42 years until it moved to its current ground at Warners Park. Over the years the Club has maintained close links with the community and stays in contact with their old players. InsureandGo are pleased to be the Club's community sponsor which supports the club's Kids Go Free training programme, which allows children under the age of 15 to train at the club free of charge once a week and attend matches free of charge also.
Leigh Ramblers
Established in 1902 Leigh Ramblers is one of the largest amateur football clubs in Essex, consisting of 34 teams. In February 2009 the Club was awarded the highest honour - the FA Community Award within the Charter Standard. The Club is also one of the biggest promoters of Soccerbility in Essex - a programme that offers football coaching sessions to children with disabilities. The Club is run by volunteers so fundraising is always of importance. That's why InsureandGo are proud to be the shirt sponsors of the whole club - making The Rams the only club in the UK that has the same shirt sponsor across all its teams!
The Moonlight Colourthon 2009
The Moonlight Colourthon is a half marathon charity walk that takes place at night. Now in its third year walkers are encouraged to dress as brightly as possible as they make their way round the route which takes them through Southend-on-Sea and Leigh. This year InsureandGo were the main sponsor of the event which is organised by the Southend Round Table. The great thing about this event is that walkers can choose to raise money for any charity they want. This year £134,794 was pledged to 236 different charities!
Charlie's Row
In December 2009 Essex boy, and friend of InsureandGo, Charlie Pitcher will set off to row across the Atlantic Ocean solo. Not our idea of fun but Charlie is doing it for a good cause. His great friend Shaun McLeod-Jones died in 2003 of kidney failure. He spent many years as a dialysis patient at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge which is why Charlie has chosen to raise money for them. That's why we are happy to support Charlie in his epic challenge.. If you would like to donate to this good cause please visit Charlie's Just Giving page. If you'd like to find out more about Charlie and his InsureandGo boat, check out his Facebook page, The Continental Conqueror, or follow him on Twitter!