Local man scores charity grant for community basketball club

15/12/2010

A sports-mad bank worker from Tollcross, Glasgow is supporting a sports team that is close to his heart by making a generous donation as part of Clydesdale Bank's Staff Volunteer Grant Programme.

Andrew Bankier, 27, who is originally from Vancouver in Canada but now lives in Tollcross applied for a staff volunteer grant from Clydesdale Bank earlier this year to provide much needed funds for his local community basketball club.

Andrew works as a Business Associate at Clydesdale Bank's Financial Solutions Centre in Glasgow, and has been playing for Glasgow City Basketball Club's men's team for nearly four years. Andrew also gives up his free time to coach the club's younger teams and felt the community project was deserving of a Clydesdale Bank grant of £500.

Glasgow City Basketball Club has been running for over 25 years and over this time a number of players have gone on to play at a national level. The club also encourages young people in Glasgow to develop their team spirit and get involved in basketball and Andrew's donation will go towards new strips for the players.

His donation to the club is part of Clydesdale Bank's Staff Volunteer Grant Programme, which helps fund charitable initiatives that its employees are passionate about. Employees can apply for a grant of up to £500 if they are involved with local community groups in their own time. This includes local charities or not-for-profit organisations such as schools, brownies, scouts or sports groups. The money helps the groups continue their work in the local community.

Andrew said: "Glasgow City Basketball Club has been part of my life for a number of years. It really does bring the community together and I've met so many great people through playing for the men's team and coaching the youth teams."

"Donations are really important to keep the club going and this is the second time that Clydesdale Bank has supported us with a grant which has really benefitted our players. I jumped at the chance when I heard that I could apply for a staff volunteer grant as every penny counts for the club and I would encourage other employees to apply for a grant to support their community own projects across the country."

Irene Swankie, community affairs manager at Clydesdale Bank said: "Clydesdale Bank's staff volunteer programme recognises the great community work our employees are involved in outside of the bank's own extensive volunteering programme. Any employee that is involved in a charity or not-for-profit organisation in their own time is eligible to apply for a grant."

"We actively encourage our employees to become involved in voluntary work within their own community and our grants programme is just one way we can support the valuable contribution they make in helping others."

The staff grants are provided through the Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank Foundation, a registered charity established by the Banks in 2008.