‘Helping the fight against cancer’ is the theme for Ulster Bank staff’s 2016 marathon fund-raising effort ‘One Week in June’ which takes place 20-24 June.
The annual charity initiative involves thousands of employees from across the island of Ireland taking part in traditional, wacky and unusual events all to raise much needed cash for staff members’ chosen charities.
Groups benefiting this year in Northern Ireland are Marie Curie and Cool FM / Downtown Radio charity ‘Cash for Kids.’
Charities are chosen by Bank employees, who through an internal survey this year elected to support local cancer organisations.
Cool FM & Downtown Radio presenters will be supporting the Ulster Bank employee effort with a live broadcast, special features online and through social media to encourage friends, family and customers of the Bank to donate.
Helping to launch the 2016 week of charity activity were Richard Donnan (Head of NI and Regional Managing Director Corporate & Commercial Banking) and Sean Murphy (Regional Managing Director Branch & Private Banking) along with team mascots, Cash for Kids- Courage the Cat and Ulster Bank’s Henri Hippo, Downtown presenter Trevor Campbell and Darren Fowler from Cash for Kids.
Last year Richard Donnan and Sean Murphy washed cars in the Bank’s head office car park as part of their contribution to a record breaking One Week in June campaign. Top fundraising events in 2015 included a staff team from Omagh who climbed Mount Errigal dressed as Henri Hippo, a trio from head office who completed a sky-dive and a Moira bank employee who cycled a full marathon in her branch on a static bike.
Sean Murphy, Regional Managing Director Branch & Private Banking, Ulster Bank said:
“One Week in June provides all of us in the Bank an opportunity to show our true grit and determination to fundraise for good causes in the communities we live and work in. Employees from our branch network, Business Centres and a range of different departments will all come together for one week with the common aim of raising monies for charities close to our hearts. We wish everyone the very best of luck and look forward to hearing about some of the fantastic and inventive ways staff are able to generate charity cash.”
Conor O’Kane, senior partnership manager from Marie Curie said the charity was once again delighted to work closely with Ulster Bank staff:
“Ulster Bank staff have regularly pledged their support to Marie Curie through the One Week in June initiative and because of their huge efforts we will be able to offer even more support to terminally ill patients and their families.”
This is the first year Ulster Bank and Cash for Kids have teamed up for One Week in June. Cash for Kids charity manager Darren Fowler said:
“I am looking forward to supporting and encouraging staff to put their best foot forward and together we will raise significant funds to help fight cancer for children and young people in Northern Ireland.
“Ulster Bank’s One Week in June campaign has a tremendous reputation and I can’t wait to see the staff completing their personal and team challenges, we are sure with the additional backing of our presenters and the Cash for Kids team we’ll help staff achieve their goals this year.”
Over the past three years the initiative has raised £896,000 for over 20 charities and community groups and is an integral part of Ulster Bank’s overall community engagement programme.
One Week in June takes place 20-24 June and follows the theme ‘Helping the fight against Cancer.’
