Nationwide underscores commitment to charitable giving

Nationwide Building Society has underlined its commitment to charitable giving in its latest social impact report, documenting donations to charities totalling £9.6 million in the past year.

The 31-page report documents donations to Shelter, the British Red Cross, St Mungo’s and a series of smaller, community organisations such as the Bristol Law Centre.

The organisation said it had increased donations by more than a third, compared to the previous financial year.

Lou Prior, director of customer propositions at Nationwide Building Society, said the mutual has long recognised the need to support the communities it serves.

She added: “It is vital that socially conscious businesses step in to fill the shortfall in donations at a time many households are feeling the pinch. The fact is that charity has never been more needed, and we are proud to support our communities.”

Since 2007, Nationwide has donated one per cent of its pre-tax profit to good causes. In addition to cash donations, Nationwide employees receive up to two days’ paid volunteering leave every year.

Over the past year, more than 13,500 volunteering hours have been donated. The Society’s colleagues and customers have also raised £865,000 for the Ukraine, Pakistan, and Turkey & Syria British Red Cross Appeals.

“We’re grateful to Nationwide who have helped us to pick up more than 6,000 calls to our emergency helpline in the last year for free and expert help,” said Andy Harris, director of income generation at Shelter.

“Homelessness is devastating and no-one should face it alone. Our emergency helpline supports people who are homeless or about to be.”

Nationwide’s full report is available to read, here