Girls & Boys Town is selected as
beneficiary of March Corporate Challenge
Access registration

JOHANNESBURG, January 27, 2009 — The J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge – Johannesburg 's annual celebration of corporate fitness and camaraderie -- has chosen Girls & Boys Town as the beneficiary of this year's race.

The Corporate Challenge, scheduled for Thursday the 5th March, will bring together a sell-out crowd of more than 11,000 serious and amateur runners, joggers and walkers from Gauteng 's diverse corporate fraternity. Each will make a tangible difference in the community as the J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation will provide a donation for each entry to Girls & Boys Town.

“It is a true honour for the Girls & Boys Town to be selected as the local beneficiary of this world renowned corporate event,” said Lee Loynes, CEO of Girls & Boys Town. “(Girls & Boys Town) is involved in various social programmes and our association to the Corporate Challenge gives us a platform to create awareness of the benefits that our programmes offer to the disadvantaged youth in South Africa.

“J.P. Morgan's belief in what we do and championing of our vision and mission – despite these economically challenging times – is deeply moving and will touch many lives positively,” Loynes continued.

Girls & Boys Town provides a second chance for thousands of children of all races, genders, faith and languages. Many arrive from shattered homes and have numerous issues to deal with or to be dealt with, and this safe haven provides just that - an environment for self growth and development to face the world again – head on!

The donation to Girls & Boys Town is part of J.P. Morgan's support of worthy not-for-profits in every Corporate Challenge city. Donations in 2008 exceeded US$600,000.

The donation in Johannesburg adds to the “spirit of solidarity” at the event, according to Jon Zehner, Country Manager for J.P. Morgan in South Africa.

“The atmosphere of the Corporate Challenge is always thick with the spirit of solidarity and camaraderie amongst colleagues and clients alike,” Zehner said. “This team spirit once again reinforces the sentiment that a race of this nature offers us the opportunity to display J.P. Morgan's commitment to South Africa, our spirit of corporate fitness as well as a company with a social conscience.”

The J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge® is open to full-time employees from all businesses, corporations and government agencies in South Africa. It is an all-inclusive event for employees, attracting both serious and amateur runners, joggers and walkers. The primary difference between this and other road races is that employees must enter as part of a corporate team and there is absolutely no limit to the number of employees a company can enter. Entries close on Tuesday 10th February (access registration).