Leaders in the financial sector came together this week to raise £411,000 for the UK’s largest children’s charity Barnardo’s to support their work to help vulnerable children and young people in the UK today.
The third Banking on Barnardo’s fundraising event brought together influential leaders from throughout the financial sector including Lloyds Banking Group, Virgin Money, NatWest and Santander and to help generate funds for some of the charity’s over 800 vital frontline services.
The occasion, held at London’s Guildhall on 18 October, followed the successes of previous events and brought its fundraising total over the years to an impressive £1,148,000. These funds provide vital help, support and inspiration for children recovering from trauma, young people growing up in the care system, and those who are at risk of sexual abuse, threats online and exploitation.
During the evening, Barnardo’s CEO Lynn Perry MBE thanked guests for their support and described how the money raised would go towards changing young lives.
Lynn Perry MBE said: “I am extremely grateful to everyone who has supported our third Banking on Barnardo’s event. Children in the UK today are facing extraordinary challenges, ranging from the long-term impact of the pandemic on their mental health, through to the cost-of-living crisis, which means too many parents are struggling to make ends meet.
“The continued support and generosity demonstrated through Banking on Barnardo’s is absolutely crucial to help us continue our vital work and make a real tangible difference to young people’s lives.”
Sponsors of this year’s Banking on Barnardo’s included Capita, Bloomberg, Experian and Accenture as well as entertainment sponsor Publicis Sapient.
Each of the 30 tables at the event focussed their fundraising on a specific Barnardo’s service. This included B You in Surrey, which supports children up to the age of 18 who are at risk of being abused through sexual or criminal exploitation, Lincolnshire Leaving Care Service which provides support services for young people aged 16-25 who have grown up in foster care or residential children’s homes and The Phoenix Project which supports young people and families who have experienced domestic violence.
Some of the young people who have been supported by Barnardo’s shared their stories with event attendees. Wik, who lived in supported lodgings through the Lincolnshire Leaving Care Service with her two children, bravely talked about her experiences.
Wik said: “I want to raise awareness of how much Barnardo’s Supported Lodgings scheme has helped me as well as so many other young people. It really did change my life for the better. That’s why we need to make sure that other people have access to these services too.
“I am keen to raise both awareness and money to help support the running of the service as well as share just how great it has been for me and many others too. So, I hope my appearance at Banking on Barnardo’s does just that and motivates people to help.”
Banking on Barnardo’s was hosted by the charity’s President Natasha Kaplinksy OBE.
She said: “I was thrilled to be part of such an important evening to raise vital funds for Barnardo’s. The charity’s wide range of services are in such high demand as we navigate through the cost-of-living crisis. Banking on Barnardo’s is a wonderful way to ensure that vulnerable children and families get the support they need during this difficult time.”
Ms Kaplinsky hosted alongside keynote speaker, Governor of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey.
Mr Bailey said: “I am very proud to support this third Banking on Barnardo’s event. Barnardo’s does vitally important work to help vulnerable children and families in the UK today. So, it’s an honour to be able to support their frontline services.”
Banking on Barnardo’s was organised and championed by committee chair William Chalmers CFO Lloyds Banking Group, David Duffy Group Chief Executive of Virgin Money UK plc, Alison Rose CEO of NatWest and Nathan Bostock Head of Investment Platforms, Grupo Santander. It was sponsored by Publicis, Capita, Bloomberg, Experian and Accenture.
