Westpac to give $10,000 donation to City Mission

14 December 2004

Westpac to give $10,000 donation to Auckland City Mission at new St Lukes branch Christmas function

Westpac will present a donation of $10,000 to the Auckland City Mission at a Christmas function organised for the bank’s newest branch at Westfield St Lukes, this evening (Tuesday 14 December) at 6:00pm.

The donation reflects the bank’s new approach to corporate Christmas giving, according to Chief Executive Officer, Ann Sherry.

“Rather than taking the usual approach of purchasing Christmas gifts for customers, business associates and suppliers, we’ve decided to split a $60,000 donation between different charities,” she said.

The charities are: The NZ Federation of Family Budgeting Services, which assists New Zealand families in managing their money during the Christmas holiday period and beyond; and the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch City Missions.

Ann Sherry said choosing Westpac’s newest branch as the venue for presenting the Auckland City Mission donation gave staff at our newest branch the opportunity to share in the event.

“Westpac staff play a key role in our commitment to the communities we’re part of,” she explained. “We have a staff matching gifts programme that allows our staff to support a charity with personal giving that we will match their support for. We also make one day’s paid leave a year available for all staff to use to undertake volunteer work in their communities.”

In addition, Ann Sherry said the bank’s wider actions show its commitment to its communities. “We’ve expressed our commitment to the St Lukes area in the form of a brand-new branch, and we’re articulating our commitment to communities in need with this donation to Auckland City Mission.”

Auckland City Missioner, Diane Robertson, said Westpac’s donation would be added to the Mission’s fund for emergency assistance, to provide ongoing support for low-income families. “Westpac’s contribution will allow us to continue helping families in need with food parcels, clothing, furniture and social work support,” she said. “This will be of enormous help to those in need around our city and region.”

Meanwhile, Ann Sherry explained Westpac’s new Christmas-giving approach was about giving something back to the communities the bank is part of by making donations to organisations that give a helping hand to people who don’t always have as much to celebrate at this time of year.

“We have selected these charities because they have a great reputation for what they do for those in need all around New Zealand at this time of year.”

The Family Budgeting Service plays a very important role for families struggling with their finances at this time of year, and has branches in most towns and cities around the country. The service will receive $30,000 from Westpac.

Meanwhile, the City Missions operate nationally from their bases in the regional centres of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Through the City Missions’ combined activities, New Zealanders in need are reached wherever they may live. Each of the three City Missions will receive $10,000.

ENDS

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