Darlington Building Society has raised money for injured veterans with a Bake for Heroes initiative.
A bake sale in the Tubwell Row branch helped the Society to raise more than £225 for the Help for Heroes charity.
Staff also hosted a ‘Name the Bear’ competition and will continue to sell wristbands and pins in branch to raise more money for the charity.
The funds raised will help support Help for Heroes and their recovery centres, such as the one based locally at Catterick Garrison. Donations like this are used to purchase equipment, fund physiotherapy and also cover costs of supporting those effected enabling them to return back to as normal life as they can.
To celebrate its 160th anniversary, Darlington Building Society plans to help raise £160,000 for local causes through a variety of activities and events that will be running throughout the year. It also will give 160 volunteering days to help local charities and community groups by using its time and skills.
Finally, it aims to help 160 local organisations by using resources to support them, whether that means a local business or charity using the branches to raise awareness of their activities or its van to help take things from A to B, and everything in between.
Stephanie Thompson, Customer Service Consultant Darlington Building Society, who co-ordinated the fundraising said: “We are delighted to have been able to raise so much for such a fantastic charity as Help for Heroes. All of the staff at the branch worked hard on the fundraising initiatives and it’s great to see their work has paid off.
“The charity helps so many people across the country and we are honoured to be able to help even just a little bit.”
Tykie Bowden, Account Manager for Help for Heroes said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff at the Tubwell Row branch of the Darlington Building Society who kindly supported the Help for Heroes ‘Bake for Heroes’ 2016 campaign. Also, to all the customers who kindly bought all of the tasty treats and raised an amazing £225.00. Help for Heroes offers comprehensive support to those who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses while serving our country. This support is provided through grants direct to our Heroes and their families, grants to other charities and through four Help for Heroes Recovery Centres across the UK. A recent study launched in January 2016 by Help for Heroes and King’s College London found of the 750,000 men and women who served as Regulars between 1991 and 2014, at least 66,000 need long term support.”