Danske Bank has donated the use of poster sites at bus shelters and billboards across Northern Ireland to help raise awareness of its charity partner, Extern NI’s coronavirus hardship appeal.
The bank also donated 250 food and drink hampers, and the proceeds from recycling old Apple devices.
Extern NI aims to “transform people’s lives” by helping vulnerable people, families in poverty and the homeless.
Danske said its employees have donated cleaning products, clothes and old mobile phones and are also coming up with new ways to fundraise during lockdown, from sponsored head shaves to TikTok dance challenges.
Extern added that it has adapted its services to ensure people will be able to access the supports they require.
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Measures include using online tech to update and connect with people, delivering packages of food and essential supplies, and ensuring acute frontline services for mental health and homelessness are available as usual.
Charlie Mack, CEO at Extern said: “While we are all working to adapt to the uncertainty at the moment, what never changes is our commitment to the people we serve. Every day we meet people who are in crisis and have seen an increase in demand for our services during this pandemic.
“The support from Danske is truly appreciated and has helped enable us to adapt our services to meet the current crisis head on and is helping raise much-needed awareness of the issues and how the public can help.”
Richard Caldwell, Danske’s managing director of Personal Banking & Small Business commented: “The families and individuals supported by Extern need help now more than ever. Due to the lockdown we have had to postpone fundraising events, but from the outset of this crisis our colleagues have been telling us they still want to do something to help.
“We are in regular contact with the fantastic team at Extern to understand where the needs are in the current climate. This means we can adapt our support as best we can to meet those needs, for example, through branches creating bespoke hampers for local families identified by Extern as being in need.”
To find out more about Extern’s Coronavirus Hardship Fund visit www.extern.org
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Source: Written from press release
