MANCHESTER, England, June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aon Corporation (NYSE: AON), the world's leading risk advisor and human capital consultant, today kicked off its four-year shirt sponsorship of Manchester United with a programme of global charity initiatives designed to promote youth development and healthier communities. The sponsorship was announced on June 3, 2009.

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The sponsorship and charity campaign were launched at Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium this morning by executives of Aon and Manchester United, along with Manchester United team legends Sir Bobby Charlton and Bryan Robson.

"Based on our shared values of leadership, teamwork, and a passion for excellence, it is difficult to imagine a stronger fit for Aon than Manchester United," said Greg Case, President and Chief Executive Officer of Aon Corporation. "Through the global charitable initiatives of Aon's 36,000 colleagues, we will work with our partners at Manchester United and the Manchester United Foundation to promote these values and create positive opportunities for young people, to enable them to thrive and to help improve their communities."

David Gill, Chief Executive Officer of Manchester United, said, "This event is an indication of how Aon is committed to developing the partnership way beyond a simple commercial arrangement. In the coming years, I hope we will be able to build a tangible legacy for the Manchester United community both here in the north west and further afield. I am delighted that Aon wants to get its whole worldwide workforce involved. I'm sure it will really bring the sponsorship to life for many of them."

To mark the start of the sponsorship, the first charity event involved more than 150 of Aon's Manchester-based colleagues and their families, who participated in a Penalty Kick Challenge at Old Trafford for the Manchester-based The Christie charity – one of England's leading cancer centres which treats more than 40,000 patients a year.

The Aon Foundation donated 25,000 pounds, of which 3,500 pounds came from the Penalty Kick Challenge, to The Survivorship Programme of The Christie, which helps young people progress in their educational and career goals and receive life skills support following cancer treatment.

Caroline Shaw, Chief Executive of The Christie, said, "Having cancer at any age is traumatic, but it is especially difficult for young people when they still have their whole lives ahead of them. This generous support will help them have the successful and fulfilling life that they deserve after cancer."

Case added, "Throughout our more than 500 offices around the world, Aon colleagues are joining today's fundraising through an "Aon United REDy Day" campaign, including raising money for local charities by wearing Manchester United shirts or red clothes for the day. Aon is an organization that is truly committed to strengthening communities by sharing our human, intellectual and financial resources. We believe that through this ongoing programme of charitable initiatives we can make a positive difference in people's lives."

Forthcoming Aon charity initiatives include "Aon United Day" on July 15, 2010, which will involve Aon's global colleagues in over 120 countries participating in fundraising and volunteer activities, including supporting hundreds of schools, children's hospitals, orphanages and community centres as well as more well-known organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters Clubs, Junior Achievement, Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics, UNICEF, United Way and the YMCA.

For example, in Botswana, Aon colleagues will partner with the House of Hope orphanage by providing furniture donations and helping to clean and improve the facility. In Singapore, Aon volunteers will host an indoor football match for the young people served by Boys' Town and will support the organization's new building fund. Aon Bangalore has "adopted" a local elementary school that it will support throughout the coming year with both charitable donations and volunteer service. In Bolivia, Aon colleagues will donate to Hogar de Ninos Alalay, helping to plant trees on the orphanage grounds and creating art projects with the children who live there. In Sacramento, California, Aon colleagues are partnering with Project 680 by collecting hygiene supplies to distribute to homeless youth. In the Netherlands, Aon colleagues will participate in a charity bike ride and sell Right to Play merchandise to help raise funds for youth sports programmes in disadvantaged areas.

For more information on the Aon Manchester United sponsorship, visit www.aon.com/unitedin2010.

About Aon

Aon Corporation (NYSE: AON) is the leading global provider of risk management services, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human capital consulting. Through its more than 36,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon delivers distinctive client value via innovative and effective risk management and workforce productivity solutions. Aon's industry-leading global resources and technical expertise are delivered locally through more than 500 offices in more than 120 countries. Named the world's best broker by Euromoney magazine's 2008 and 2009 Insurance Survey, Aon also ranked highest on Business Insurance's listing of the world's largest insurance brokers based on commercial retail, wholesale, reinsurance and personal lines brokerage revenues in 2008 and 2009. A.M. Best deemed Aon the number one insurance broker based on brokerage revenues in 2007, 2008 and 2009, and Aon was voted best insurance intermediary, best reinsurance intermediary and best employee benefits consulting firm in 2007, 2008 and 2009 by the readers of Business Insurance. For more information on Aon, log onto http://www.aon.com.

About Manchester United

Manchester United is the biggest football club in the world. It has an estimated 333 million fans across the globe. Its home at Old Trafford celebrates its centenary in 2010 and reflects the rich history that surrounds the Club. The first English Club to compete in the European Club, its visionary manager Sir Matt Busby later led the team to the first English triumph in that competition in 1968. In modern times, Sir Alex Ferguson – also knighted by HM The Queen for his outstanding contribution to football – has led the Club to more European, domestic and world success.

About The Christie

The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres – treating over 40,000 patients a year – and an international leader in cancer research. It is based in Manchester, but as a national specialist it treats 26% of its patients from other parts of the country. For more information about The Christie charity, visit: www.christies.org.

Photos of today's Penalty Kick Challenge at Old Trafford for the Manchester-based The Christie charity will be available from 2.30pm BST on June 1 via www.gettyimages.com.

For further information, please contact:

Phil Townsend
Manchester United
T: +44 (0)161 868 8148
pressoffice@manutd.co.uk

David Prosperi
Aon Corporation
T: +1 312 381 2485
david_prosperi@aon.com

David Bogg
Aon Corporation
T: +44 (0)20 7522 4016
David.bogg@aonbenfield.com

SOURCE Aon Corporation