Reckitt Benckiser (RB) and Save the Children Embark on 'Global Challenge' to Help Eradicate Child Deaths

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Aug. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- RB – a global consumer goods leader in health, hygiene and home whose portfolio includes Clearasil^®, Mucinex^®, Lysol^® and Durex^® has teamed up with Save the Children to help prevent child deaths from diarrhea, the second leading global killer of children under five. This year, RB held its biannual Global Challenge to raise funds for a project in Indonesia, where the funds are used to support the needs of children.

"The Global Challenges give RB employees the opportunity to participate in several global Save the Children projects that we support. The experience in Indonesia was so eye-opening and truly showed how far funds we raise go to help children in need," said Christine van den Broeck, senior brand manager for Finish at RB and the U.S. RB team lead for Save the Children. "We are proud to contribute to making the children healthier and their homes happier havens. The impact we have through this project is life changing, not only for the children in the region but also for the employees who participate."

In order to raise money for the Global Challenge initiative in June 2013, 61 RB employees from 29 countries held a variety of events including auctions, product sales and dress-down days. In the U.S., RB team members also created a charity cookbook they sold to local New Jersey communities to help meet the U.S. fundraising goal. Together, U.S. RB employees raised a total of $65,000, which was then matched by RB.

Once fundraising for the Global Challenge was complete, a group of RB employees embarked on a trek in Indonesia, with Save the Children's leadership, to the summit of Mount Rinjani on Lombok. Other RB colleagues were challenged to renovate village health centers in Bandung by layering brick, plastering, tiling and painting, among other things. The village health center renovations included a new examination room, hand washing station and an outside waiting area.

The RB team in the U.S. has a robust fundraising goal to raise $1 million in 2013 through an annual supplier golf tournament, fitness challenges, product sales as well as contributions from RB brands that have synergistic visions with Save the Children. This target will contribute to a five-year initiative with Save the Children in West Java, Indonesia to improve health, hygiene and hand washing practices. Over the five years, the program expects to help up to 35,000 newborns, 25,000 mothers and 400,000 members of the community. It will also contribute to the commitment made by RB and Save the Children of  a $35.5 million investment and a goal to target the devastating global death rate in children under five from diarrhea by 2020.

Nearly one in 10 child deaths are a result of diarrhea caused by poor home environments, inadequate personal hygiene and lack of access to essential services such as healthcare, sanitation, clean water and basic nutrition. RB's partnership with Save the Children combines RB's global expertise in hygiene and health, innovative technology and consumer communication capabilities with Save the Children's expertise in delivering life-saving treatments.

For more information visit http://www.rb.com/our-responsibility/healthier-kids-happier-homes

ABOUT RB
RB is a global consumer goods leader in health, hygiene and home.

With a purpose of delivering innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes, RB is in the top 25 of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. Since 2000 net revenues have trebled and the market cap has increased by 5 times. Today it is the global No 1 or No 2 in the majority of its fast-growing categories, driven by an exceptional rate of innovation. Its health, hygiene and home portfolio is led by 19 global Powerbrands including Nurofen, Strepsils Gaviscon, Mucinex, Durex, Scholl, Lysol, Dettol, Clearasil, Veet, Harpic, Bang, Mortein, Finish, Vanish, Woolite, Calgon, Airwick, and French's, and they account for 70 percent of net revenue. 

RB people and its culture are at the heart of the company's success. They have an intense drive for achievement and a desire to outperform wherever they focus, including in sustainability where the company has reduced its carbon footprint by 20 percent in five years and is now targeting to deliver a 1/3 reduction in water impact, 1/3 further reduction in carbon and to have 1/3 of its net revenue coming from more sustainable products by 2020. RB has been recognized as a sustainability leader in the CDP Global 500 Carbon Performance Leadership Index and received a 2013 Sector Mover Sustainability Award in the 10^th Sustainability Yearbook. 

The company has operations in over 60 countries, with headquarters in the UK, Singapore, Dubai and Amsterdam, and sales in almost 200 countries. The company employs approximately 36,000 people worldwide.

For more information visit www.rb.com

ABOUT SAVE THE CHILDREN
Save the Children is the leading independent organization for children in need, with programs in more than 120 countries, including the United States. We aim to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives by improving their health, education and economic opportunities. In times of acute crisis, we mobilize rapid assistance to help children recover from the effects of war, conflict and natural disasters. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. For more information visit www.savethechildren.org

ABOUT SAVE THE CHILDREN AND RECKITT BENCKISER 
Save the Children's partnership with RB launched in 2003, and has helped to reach over one million children. RB funds health and hygiene programs in India, Brazil and Indonesia, as well as donates an annual commitment to Save the Children's Emergency Fund.

SOURCE Reckitt Benckiser (RB)