Bank of Ireland staff will provide hundreds of hampers, hospital packs, hostel bags and wishlist presents to St Vincent de Paul as part of its fundraising and volunteering initiative to help the needy this Christmas.
The employees of the 18 branches of the bank in Galway have joined forces with the local charity in BOI’s nationwide “Give Together” campaign.
The bank is also encouraging staff to use the campaign’s volunteering day to volunteer with SVP locally to support its work. All funds raised and items donated by the Galway staff will be distributed locally by St Vincent de Paul.
PJ Kavanagh, the area manager of Bank of Ireland, says it is encouraging staff in its Galway branches to show their support by volunteering and fundraising to support SVP.
“With the bank making a financial contribution towards all funds raised, together we hope to make a real contribution to St Vincent de Paul’s Christmas appeal.”
The national president of the charity Geoff Meagher outlines that calls for assistance this year remain “stubbornly high” twice what they were five years ago.
“Consequently, funds to provide assistance to so many families, particularly at this time, of year are badly needed. The support of the Bank of Ireland and its staff will help ensure that those in the greatest need can also celebrate this festive season. We are very appreciative of the effort that is being put into this campaign from the bank staff right throughout the country.”
Bank of Ireland staff in Galway raised €127,000 for charity so far this year as part of the “Give Together” drive.
Audrey Nolan, the head of corporate social responsibility, at the bank says it is enabling its staff to support a range of flagship charities, or a cause of their own choice, by fundraising, volunteering or donating.
“Colleagues are supported through the provision of one day’s paid leave for volunteering and the bank also makes a financial contribution towards all money raised. Bank of Ireland also lends its broader support to the flagship charities and continues to provide support to the charitable sector in general. So far this year, through the combined efforts of our employees nationally and Give Together support, over €2.2 million has been paid out to the benefit of worthy causes in every community where we do business and over 500 volunteering days have been used.”
