Suffolk Building Society has extended its charitable partnerships with four Suffolk charities to 2026, committing £200,000 over five years.
The charity programme, redefined in 2022, aims to support these charities not just with donations, but also through staff volunteering and fundraising events.
The society involves its 60,000 members and uses its 10 county locations for charity promotion and as collection points.
The initiative includes the Safe Homes for Suffolk campaign with Ipswich Housing Action Group, Emmaus Suffolk, and Lighthouse Women’s Aid, addressing homelessness, isolation, and domestic abuse.
It also supports the Saving Suffolk campaign with Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Four promotional films for these charities have been widely viewed on social media and YouTube, with two shortlisted for awards.
Richard Norrington, CEO at Suffolk Building Society, said: “We were founded 175 years ago to help people acquire land and well-built homes, and in doing so, secure the vote.
“As well as protecting members’ savings, and supporting their home ownership ambitions, environmental and social issues remain central to our mission today.”
Norrington added: “When we partnered with these four excellent organisations in 2022, we knew they were facing challenges accessing funding, and the cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated the situation.
“It therefore made sense to continue these successful partnerships for another two years, particularly given the extent to which our members and staff have engaged with the charities, whether by volunteering, attending member events, donating in branch, or by fundraising individually.”
