Released on: December 7, 2007, 1:46 am

Press Release Author: Kerry Poulter, Marketing Specialist, Opus Energy

Industry: Energy

Press Release Summary: Opus Energy colleagues in Oxford and Northampton pushed
themselves to the limit by running the New York Marathon and raising over £3,500

Press Release Body: Two colleagues from Opus Energy, a leading independent
electricity supplier to businesses based in Oxford and Northampton, powered their
way through the New York Marathon last month raising over £3,500 for the NSPCC.

Mo Fillmore, from Crowmarsh Gifford near Oxford, and Penny Beard, from West Hunsbury
in Northampton, braved the elements to complete the tough course. Their impressive
efforts were part of Opus Energy's pledge to raise £10,000 for the NSPCC by April
2008. The amount raised by Opus so far now sits at £6,228.

Mo, who works as a PA at Opus Energy's headquarters in Oxford, has completed three
marathons before but said this was by far the toughest. However, despite the harsh
weather conditions she still managed to beat her personal best time and completed
the course in 4 hours and 38 minutes.

"The day before the race was freezing cold and incredibly windy," said Mo, "I'd done
a lot of training but halfway though the marathon I wasn't where I wanted to be
time-wise. I gave myself a good talking to and somehow manage to find some energy
from somewhere and shaved 15 seconds off my personal best.

"The crowd definitely helped - they were amazing. It was definitely worth it as it's
such a great cause and I've made monthly donations to the charity for as long as I
can remember".

For Penny, a credit controller at Opus Energy's Northampton office, it was her first
marathon and therefore quite an experience for her.

"It was all very emotional. No-one tells you how tough the New York Marathon is
because they don't want to disparage you, but the pavements are very hard and it is
surprisingly hilly too. I am relieved it is over but it's for a very good cause. I'm
a step-mother so I can understand how important the work of the NSPCC is."

Opus will continue to work towards its £10,000 pledge by holding its annual
Christmas raffle in aid of NSPCC. Last year, the raffle raised over £2,000. This
year Opus is hoping to beat this with even better prizes having already been
donated, including a signed Chelsea shirt and a pampering day at Whittlebury Hall,
in Northamptonshire.

Charlie Crossley-Cooke, CEO of Opus Energy is the driving force behind the company's
donations to NSPCC. Charlie visited the local Northampton NSPCC centres following
Opus Energy's first donation in 2007 and was compelled to continue supporting the
children's charity going into 2008.

He said, "It is very important to me that Opus Energy continues to support the NSPCC
both nationally and locally. It was a moving experience to view the work that is
undertaken by the charity on a daily basis at a local level. I sincerely hope that
Opus Energy and the commendable efforts of our employees are able to raise funds
that will make a real difference in helping put a stop to child cruelty".

Jenni Cowlishaw, NSPCC Community Corporate Manager, said: "I would like to thank
Penny and Mo for completing the marathon for the NSPCC as it took a lot of hard work
and dedication from them both. It is arguably the hardest marathon to tackle and
they both did a fantastic job and raised much-needed money for the charity.

"Everyone at Opus Energy has been brilliant and all the staff have really got behind
supporting us. They are a great example of how local people can make a real
difference to the lives of children.

"Because 87 per cent of NSPCC funding comes from voluntary donations and
fundraising, the NSPCC's work is heavily reliant on the generosity of the general
public. Costs and workloads are rising all the time and we urgently need more
fundraisers in the county to help keep our services going."

About Opus Energy
Opus Energy is a leading independent supplier of electricity to UK businesses, based
in Oxford and Northampton. It has over 40,000 customers across the country,
including Yell Group, Disney Shop, Thornton's, Farm Foods and Deloitte & Touche.
Opus offers companies best-price electricity together with tailored customer care.
Its flexible, tailor-made solutions suit businesses across the SME and larger
corporate market.
www.opusenergy.co.uk



Web Site: http://www.opusenergy.com

Contact Details: Kerry Poulter
Marketing Specialist
Opus Energy
1st Floor, Beaver House
23-38 Hythe Bridge Street
Oxford
OX1 2EP

T: 01865 264726
F: 01865 264701
kerry.poulter@opusenergy.com