CHARITY TACKLING RURAL HEALTH IS HIGHLY COMMENDED IN INTERNATIONAL AWARD

Added: (Thu Feb 28 2002)

Pressbox (Press Release) - London, 28 February 2002 - An institute tackling the health problems in rural areas throughout the UK is one of only ten UK charities to be highly commended and receive £1,000 in the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) International IMPACT Awards 2002.

The Institute of Rural Health has been praised for its work in the community. The Belfast organisation was set up in 1985 to meet the mental health, emotional and psychological needs of groups such as older people, carers, people with learning disabilities and others experiencing mental health problems.

The organisation undertakes research on rural health issues, education and professional development of health carers, promotion and development of telecommunications and information technology. It also facilitates the networking of rural and isolated health care professionals.

The International IMPACT Awards, now in their fifth year, are run by GSK in partnership with the King’s Fund, a leading independent health charity. The awards reward small-to medium-sized registered charities with a proven track record in community health care. Ten UK charities receive £25,000 while ten highly commended projects receive £1000. The scheme is running concurrently with a sister initiative in Philadelphia, USA, which is the US headquarters of GlaxoSmithKline.

Claire Hitchcock, Director, Global Community Partnership, European and International GlaxoSmithKline comments: “Once again we were impressed by the high standard of achievement by these small healthcare organisations. GlaxoSmithKline is dedicated to paying tribute to the commitment of these charities who make such a big difference to people’s lives despite the constraints of their size.”

-Ends-

Issued by Prowse & Co on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline

For more information please contact:
Vicki Fletcher / Deborah Fields, Prowse & Co, 01372 363386 or e-mail
vicki@prowse.co.uk or deborah@prowse.co.uk


Editor’s notes

The International IMPACT Awards play a significant part in GSK’s Global Community Programme which aims to support the company’s commitment to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

The acronym IMPACT derives from the criteria that winners must have demonstrated: Innovation, Management, Partnership, Achievement, Community Focus and Targeting Need.

In the UK GSK has a continuing programme of charitable activities, which places special emphasis on scientific education and medical research. In addition, GSK seeks to fund initiatives for improving healthcare in the UK and supports a variety of projects in the visual and performing arts, as well as the environment.

As one of the world’s leading research based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, GSK is dedicated to delivering innovative medicines and products that help millions of people around the world live longer, healthier and happier lives.

For company information visit GlaxoSmithKline at www.gsk.com

News release is available online at http://www.prowse.co.uk/newsf.html