In the U.K., Unum’s involvement with its local communities centers on providing support to organizations that help people with disabilities lead a more fulfilling life.

During 2009, Unum employees helped 42 local organizations by volunteering 509 days of their time to assist in a variety of projects ranging from painting, decorating and gardening, to raising money through marathon running, bike riding and even sky diving.

Each year, Unum UK selects a charity to support through fundraising efforts. Employees work hard and dedicate much time in order to really make a difference to the cause and the people it supports.

For the past few years, that beneficiary has been local charity SeeAbility, a provider of a wide range of groundbreaking services for people with a visual impairment and additional disabilities.

In 2009, Unum employees raised £35,158 for SeeAbility through its Site2Sight Challenge. During last year’s challenge, 20 teams made up of 184 Unum employees ran and walked 158 miles between the main office “sites” of Bristol, Basingstoke and Dorking. The money raised was put toward SeeAbility’s Just 4 You Fund, which enables individuals who are blind or partially sighted to enjoy new experiences and enhance their quality of life. Many choose assistive technology to help them keep in touch with their families and friends or simply go on their first-ever vacation.

"This is a fantastic achievement by all those who took part," said David Scott-Ralphs, chief executive officer, SeeAbility. "We are enormously grateful to Unum for their support. Over the past few years, Unum employees have raised a staggering £157,000 for SeeAbility, significantly increasing the number of people with visual impairment and additional disabilities that we have been able to help."

"I am delighted that our workforce was able to raise such a substantial amount for SeeAbility – a charity which we all greatly admire," adds Susan Ring, chief executive officer, Unum UK. "Unum is committed to helping people less fortunate than ourselves, and it is hugely rewarding to know that we are benefiting such a worthwhile cause."