Our charities of the year 2019/20 were Pancreatic Cancer UK Opens in a new window Opens in a new window and YoungMinds Opens in a new window Opens in a new window. A total of £243,040.98 has been donated to the charities following our partnership. This includes staff fundraising and the Bank’s matched funding of this at £25,000 per charity. It also includes the donations of over £47,800.00 to each charity following the polymer £20 charity banknote auction. Pancreatic Cancer UK has received £126,041.00 and YoungMinds has received £116,999.98.
Colleagues have supported the charities right from the start of the partnership throughout the year we have worked together, through in-person events this time last year to virtual events more recently. This has included raffles, quizzes and sporting events all of which have been held in-person for the first half of the partnership, and virtually in the second half. Colleagues have also supported the charities through the Pennies from Heaven scheme Opens in a new window Opens in a new window.
The total amounts donated will have a significant impact on the services of both charities.
- For PCUK our fundraising means that we will enable six Specialist Pancreatic Cancer Nurses to work on the PCUK Nurse Support Line for five and a half months. As the UK’s only pancreatic cancer helpline, it is a lifeline for patients and their loved ones, and since the outbreak of Covid-19 PCUK has seen a 58% increase in calls.
- For YoungMinds our fundraising means that we can support their Parents’ Helpline in three ways. Firstly by training and supporting two Helpline Advisers; secondly by helping 1,000 parents get the advice they need to support their child's mental health; and thirdly by allowing YoungMinds to gift 625 families a vital call-back consultation with a mental health professional.
Diana Jupp, CEO of Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: “We’re so grateful for the amazing support everyone at The Bank of England has shown us. Despite all the unforeseen obstacles this year, the Bank raised an incredible £126,000 – making this our biggest corporate partnership. We were delighted with the success of the new £20 note auction it was wonderful to see the iconic Threadneedle Street building turn purple for World Pancreatic Cancer Day. I’d like to thank everyone who put on their running shoes, took part in quizzes and donated to this brilliant team effort.
“Pancreatic cancer does not stop during a global pandemic - thousands of people up and down the UK are still facing this cruel disease and will be especially vulnerable at this time. The money raised from this partnership will help to make sure our nurses can be there for people affected by pancreatic cancer, when they’re needed most.”
Emma Thomas, Chief Executive of YoungMinds said: “We are so proud of this significant partnership which has raised a truly amazing amount of money and will help us to continue supporting young people’s mental health at this crucial time. The commitment and creativity from employees fundraising and their involvement over the past year has been very inspiring and we’re incredibly grateful for all of their support.”
Lea Paterson, Chief People Officer and Executive Director, Bank of England said:
“The charities our staff choose to support each year are very important to us. When we began our partnership with Pancreatic Cancer UK and YoungMinds late last year, we had no expectation that it would end in virtual world, and we are delighted that it has been so successful.
“Colleagues have continued to be so generous and at our recent virtual celebration it was a delight to see and hear how they have taken the causes of these charities to their hearts, and how they have raised money for them. We are very proud of what has been achieved during the year, as well as having had the opportunity to raise awareness for their work. To hear how the fundraising from our partnership will have on the services offered by the charities is incredible.
“From everyone at the Bank of England we wish both charities well in the years to come and every success in their research into pancreatic cancer, and the support offered to people with a diagnosis, as well as the work to protect the mental health of young people.”
Diana Jupp, CEO of Pancreatic Cancer UK recorded a video to say thank you: