Lloyds Commercial Banking staff smash fundraising target

STAFF at Lloyds Commercial Banking have celebrated the company’s 250th anniversary by smashing a fundraising target to help local charities.

The bank, which was founded in Dale End in Birmingham in June 1765, decided to mark the anniversary by raising £50,000 throughout the Midlands with a range of activities.

But now it has smashed through the £100,000 mark and is ready to hand over bumper pay-outs to Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, Help Harry Help Others, and Children in Need.

More than 50 fundraising events have taken place across the region and have included the Loch Ness Marathon, a London to Paris Cycle Ride, a sponsored trek up Mount Snowdon, quizzes and a professionals five-a-side football tournament.

Mark Cadwallader, area director of SME banking for Lloyds, said: “These are three charities which do very different but very valuable work across our area and we thought they would be ideal for us to support.

“I knew that our team would throw themselves into it but they have done more than that. The level of support they have shown with the help of our clients and our professional friends has been superb and the amount of money raised reflects that enthusiasm and dedication.

“It has been really inspiring and I know the charities have appreciated all the efforts the team has made over the year. My team are local people wanting to make a difference to the local community in our 250th anniversary year.”

Birmingham Children’s Hospital will use the money to convert an area into a new children’s play area.

Elinor Eustace, deputy director of fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “It’s been inspiring to see all the hard work the Lloyds staff have put in and we are incredibly grateful to have their support.”