91Èȱ¬

91Èȱ¬ viewers and listeners raised over £116million supporting charitable causes in the last year according to the 91Èȱ¬'s annual Corporate Responsibility Report published today.

The report also highlights the rich mix of outreach partnerships and projects that help the corporation connect with local communities to deliver public value beyond broadcast.

The 91Èȱ¬ recognises the responsibility it has to its audiences and to Licence Fee payers to offer such services.

Since the inception of Corporate Responsibility reporting in 2004, the 91Èȱ¬ has continued to deliver a number of projects and initiated partnerships which help connect it to local communities and regions.

"The 91Èȱ¬ Corporate Responsibility Report further demonstrates the value that the 91Èȱ¬ brings to its audiences over and above its programming and, in particular, the critical role these initiatives play in reaching underserved audiences," commented Caroline Thomson, Chief Operating Officer, 91Èȱ¬.

"Not only do the projects and initiatives deliver against the 91Èȱ¬'s six public purposes but, by fostering a deeper relationship with our audiences, it inspires them to continue to respond generously to the needs of others despite the difficult economic climate."

The report includes selected reviews of the 91Èȱ¬'s work on Corporate Responsibility and outreach which are supported by personal accounts from those who have been directly involved including employees of the 91Èȱ¬.

The projects underline the 91Èȱ¬'s continued commitment to working with youth audiences as the organisation aims to connect with the younger generation.

These include the 91Èȱ¬ School News Report which saw more than 10,000 students take part on News Day in March 2009, as well as 91Èȱ¬ Blast. This creative skills project for teenagers targets disadvantaged communities and had more than 150,000 participants – a threefold increase from the previous year.

Other projects highlighted include work throughout the Nations and Regions as well as overseas projects managed by the 91Èȱ¬ World Service Trust.

The 91Èȱ¬'s efforts in supporting charity appeals are also outlined.

In the past year initiatives have raised in excess of £116million for charitable causes, led by Comic Relief raising £78million [1], 91Èȱ¬ Children in Need raising £36million (2008) [2] and the 91Èȱ¬'s Performing Arts Fund over £500,000.

Following a detailed Environmental Action Plan which the 91Èȱ¬ launched in 2008, there are also examples in the report of the progress made to date as the organisation finds more ways to reduce its environmental impact.

For example, the 91Èȱ¬ has removed more than 2,000 computer printers and increased the use of video-conferencing to further cut staff travel.

The 91Èȱ¬ continues to work with external suppliers and engage actively with staff to take environmental concerns into account in everyday business decisions.

91Èȱ¬'s Head of Outreach, Alec McGivan, said: "This report captures what the 91Èȱ¬ has done in terms of outreach and partnership work together with responsible business behaviours to help deliver the 91Èȱ¬'s public purposes.

"This work continues to play a critical role in helping reach underserved audiences as well as giving our staff the opportunity to connect more directly with our audiences which, in turn, enriches the 91Èȱ¬ and everything that it accomplishes."

The report also outlines the priorities for the coming year.

These include continuing to develop further outreach activities in the north of England as part of the overall move to Salford; an increased focus on managing the 91Èȱ¬'s environmental impact in line with the rising importance of environmental sustainability; and, as 91Èȱ¬ audiences continue to give generously to its charity appeals, the organisation will continue to raise and manage these funds in a responsible manner.

The 91Èȱ¬ was recently ranked Platinum in Business In The Community's Corporate Social Responsibility Index for 2008 which demonstrates the high standards that the corporation strives to achieve.

The index is the UK's leading voluntary corporate responsibility benchmark, and the score reflects the high standards that the 91Èȱ¬ has achieved in managing its business responsibly.

The 91Èȱ¬ is also active in a range of corporate responsibility networks, including the Media CSR Forum, the Corporate Responsibility Group and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Notes to Editors

[1] £78million was the amount raised at the time the 91Èȱ¬ Corporate Responsibility Report went to press. In July 2009 Comic Relief announced that the figure had risen to £80million.

[2] £36million was the amount raised by Children in Need at the time the 91Èȱ¬ Corporate Responsibility Report went to press. The amount raised has subsequently risen to £37million.

is published on bbc.co.uk/outreach.

91Èȱ¬ Press Office