Kindness in the Capital roars to new levels with the opening of the 2008 Lord Mayor's Dragon Awards

LORD MAYOR David Lewis announced the official opening of the Lord Mayor's Dragon Awards 2008 on Monday 12th May. The City of London Corporation is preparing for an influx of applications from businesses and public bodies across Greater London ñ particularly from SMEs who have been ramping up their activity in Corporate Community Involvement.

Now in its 21st year, the Lord Mayor's Dragon Awards is the oldest and most well-established scheme to reward companies and public bodies across London for their Corporate Community Involvement schemes. Particular interest has been expressed in the 'Heart of the City' category - for companies who have set up an effective Corporate Community Involvement programme for the first time in the last three years.

The expected influx in applications suggests companies realise the value of community initiatives, not least for the benefits it brings their employees. Volunteers forge stronger bonds with team members and colleagues and learn new skills and benefit psychologically from altruistic activities. Participant firms also profit from the brand value of Corporate Community Involvement.

Lord Mayor David Lewis said, The Dragon Awards bring a fuller meaning to the role of a business 'Dragon'. Many Corporate Community Involvement initiatives seem to be coming from a front-line level and employers are finding opportunities to go above and beyond their core work to significantly help the regeneration of their local communities.'

Leading banker Bob Wigley, Chairman of Merrill Lynch Europe, Middle East and Africa, that won the Lord Mayor's Award last year, said, Responsible Citizenship is key to our culture and we are fortunate to have a deep pool of talent and a vast range of skills at our disposal. We are proud of our contribution towards the future prospects of young people through our Corporate Community Involvement programmes and recognise the value that this brings both inside and outside the firm.

The City of London Corporation's sister initiative, City Action, which brokers volunteering opportunities between private and public sector parties, has seen a massive 130% increase in new clients comparing the last six months with those previously.

94% of employers believe that volunteering can add to an employee's individual growth and skill, and 54% say voluntary work experience can actually be more valuable than experience gained in paid employment. 94% of employees who volunteered to learn new skills had benefited either by getting their first job, improving their salary or being promoted.[1]

For more information or details about how to apply, visit www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/dragonawards.

[1]Personnel Today ñ 3rd March 2008.