Following intense consideration from the GO Awards judging panel, the finalists in each category have been decided. With award categories covering Individual of the Year, Team of the Year, Sustainability Initiative of the Year, Collaborative Procurement Initiative of the Year, Best Service, Best Supplier Engagement Initiative, Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Benefit in Procurement, and Innovation or Initiative of the Year, competition has been fierce, and only the very best nominations have achieved finalist status.

The awards ceremony is being held on 15th June 2010 in London.

The awards aim to acknowledge and reward excellence in the development and application of technology for the insurance and legal claims management industries.

Entries were received from a wealth of individuals and companies involved in all aspects of the claims process; from law firms, insurers and brokers to claims management companies and medical reporting agencies.

The winners will be revealed at a prestigious ceremony and dinner at The Lowry Hotel, Manchester on Thursday 6 May where more than 250 professionals involved with the personal injury, claims management, insurance and rehabilitation sectors will come together to celebrate, network and socialise.

The female name of Dorcas is associated with a rather interesting story. James Tattersall, Managing Director of MAPS, has been researching his family tree for nearly 10 years and one of his ancestors children was called Dorcas Harriet Giles. Unfortunately she met with a rather nasty demise following a road traffic accident outside her house on 13th May 1863 in Reckleford Street, Yeovil, Somerset. She was accidentally killed by a wheel of a cart. At the inquest it was said there was a great deal of furious driving in the streets and that it would be well for the police to have their attention drawn to the fact!

For every new account won or client retained MAPS will sponsor the planting of a new tree in the Lancashire area. Clients will be issued with their own E-Certificate in support of the protection and planting of new trees.

Staff were greeted by the sounds of Liverpool’s own Franki Sinatra and supporting swing band followed by a tasty three course meal!!

Secret Santa presents were also exchanged at the meal and the whole event was reported to be a success!!

Maps now have secure, instant access to a seperate archive of all their emails enhancing existing robust disaster recovery plans.

Adam managed to snap his pulley wire on the first zip slide but fortunately he was saved by two additional clips.

The last stage ended in a 12m high and 212m long zip slide into a pile of wood chippings. Most us us ended up on our backs but Dan and Cheryl managed to stay on their feet.

It was very exciting because in nearly every race at least one of us won!! Lynne who was in her first week at Maps won three times in a row from the start.

Nothing was left to chance in the last race because someone had a bet on every dog. The winner was Maps MD, James Tattersall whose dog won by a clear length

The team is coached by Nigel Beck of Kayes Solicitors, and, despite this, the lads have high hopes for the competition!

The squad are actively raising money to fund the tour and are arranging a number of events including penalty shoot-outs, bag packs, and sponsored walks.

One of the bright sparks in them team has calculated that the return trip to Holland is 920 km’s and sponsorship is invited at £10 per km.

All sponsors will have a link on the official tour website and, for donations of £250 or more, will receive a match shirt signed by all the players at the end of the tour.

Who knows……you could be sponsoring a future England captain!

Follow the lads progress at their website