Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks Partner Help the Hospices

Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank have selected Help the Hospices, the hospice movement’s national charity, as their new charity partner with effect from today (Friday1st February 2008). 

The new partnership is will incorporate both national and local initiatives. Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank’s network of over 340 branches, 74 Financial Solutions Centres and head offices will be matched with individual local hospice charities, and employees will be able to participate in local volunteering and fundraising activities.

The partnership forms part of the banks’ corporate community investment programme which includes corporate donations, staff volunteering programmes and community partnerships focusing on numeracy and financial literacy.

Dean Cutbill, products and marketing director for Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Banks’ said: “There’s a lot of enthusiasm among our teams surrounding the partnership. Our employees are particularly excited by the fact that money raised locally will benefit their local hospice so they see the direct impact of their efforts. It’s always difficult choosing a new partner from so many good causes, but Help the Hospices is a very worthwhile charity and we are proud to play our part in supporting the communities in which we live and work.”

“Some of our employees have already been supporting their local hospice for some time so it’s clear that this is a cause that is close to people’s hearts. We are also exploring ways that employees can use their specific skills in finance and other areas to the benefit of hospices.”

The partnership with Help the Hospices follows the banks’ three year relationship with the British Heart Foundation which raised more than £500,000. Help the Hospices was chosen from a shortlist of charities meeting the banks’ corporate community investment criteria.

Maxine Blunden, director of fundraising, Help the Hospices, said, “We are very excited to be working with Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank; it’s clear they are genuinely committed to helping the communities in which they operate.

“This partnership is a great opportunity to bring benefits on lots of levels for all involved and we’re determined to pull out all the stops to really maximise this potential.

“There will be four nationally co-ordinated, themed focus months for fundraising spread throughout the year starting with a big community-focused kick-off in the run-up to Easter. The banks already have a well-established and successful employee volunteering programme so we are confident there will be substantial and widespread engagement with local hospices.”