Branch teams from across the Society have been busy in the run-up to Christmas, delivering festive gifts in the form of financial donations to their charity partners.
Our branches and head office are all partnered with a local charity, chosen by employees and members every three years. Charity partnerships represent a long-term commitment to our local communities, and every year, employees and members come together to fundraise, support local events, and volunteer.
Our employees have been busy!
Our people got stuck into a wide range of activities to raise funds and/or awareness for their charity partners in 2023, including:
- Sponsored walks
- Quiz nights
- Baking competitions and bake sales
- Community bookshops
- Sales of charity calendars
- Lucky dips and tombolas at community and Christmas events
- Creation of ‘care bags’ containing gifts for chemotherapy patients
- Dress down days
The generosity of our members plays a big role
The Society’s charity account provides a way for our savings members to give back, whilst still earning interest on their hard earned savings. When opening a charity account, members select one of our partners to support. At the end of each financial year, we donate to the charity in question, matching interest earned.
Many of our members also make donations in our branches and get involved with the fundraising events we run locally. We’d like to thank them for their generosity, particularly when times are tough for so many.
Charity partner totals 2023
After another busy year of fundraising, we’re delighted to donate the following totals to our charity partners.
Alzheimer’s Society (Head office, replaced by Newbury Soup Kitchen from 1 November 2023)
Head office have changed their charity partner to Newbury Soup Kitchen for 2024, but in the last year they raised £39,708.64 for Alzheimer’s Society (registered charity no. 2115499), a national charity who provide support and information for those suffering with dementia.
Helen and Douglas House (Abingdon and Didcot)
Abingdon and Didcot branches raised £7,966.13 for Helen and Douglas House (registered charity no. 1085951), a charity who specialise in helping terminally ill children and their families make memories and enjoy the time they have together.
St Michael’s Hospice (Basingstoke)
Basingstoke branch raised £7,008.47 for St Michael’s Hospice (registered charity no. 1002856), who support those across North Hampshire with life-limiting illnesses.
Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice (Wokingham)
The team at Wokingham raised a total of £7,370.99 for Sue Ryder’s Duchess of Kent Hospice (registered charity no. 1052076), who ensure people do not have to go through grief, bereavement, or dying alone.
Newbury Cancer Care (Newbury and Thatcham, replaced by Swings & Smiles for Thatcham only from 1 November 2023)
Although Thatcham branch is now partnered with a new charity, Swings & Smiles, along with Newbury branch they raised a total of £19,830.34 for Newbury Cancer Care (registered charity no. 291975). The charity support those in West Berkshire living with cancer and their loved ones.
Trinity Winchester (Winchester)
The Winchester branch team raised £5,310.74 for Trinity (registered charity no. 1074604), who support homeless and vulnerable people in Winchester. The cheque was presented at a special Christmas volunteering day, attended by Chief Executive, Phillippa Cardno, Finance Director, Darren Garner and Kelly Carter and Ian Bligdon from our Compliance team.
Prior’s Court (Hungerford)
Team Hungerford raised £4,297.37 for their charity partner, Prior’s Court (registered charity no. 1070227). Senior Branch Manager, Matthew Wilding, will present a cheque to the team at Prior’s Court at their annual Santa Fun Run on 21 December! Prior’s Court is a charity that provides education and residential care for young people with complex autism.
Alton Foodbank (Alton, replaced by Dementia Friendly Alton from 1 November 2023)
Alton Foodbank (registered charity no. 1151471), the outgoing charity partner of our Alton branch, received a cheque for £4,060.09 from Branch Manager, Julie Harness.
The Countess of Brecknock Hospice (Andover)
Another great total from the Andover branch team, who raised £16,034.68 for the Countess of Brecknock Hospice (registered charity no. 1067238). The Hospice is a specialist palliative care unit based at the Andover War Memorial Hospital.
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