Societe Generale raises over £750k for Mind
Howard Lake | 4 March 2017 | News
Financial services group Societe Generale has raised £750,000 for its charity of the year partner Mind, beating its original target of £600,000. The company was Mind’s first ever major financial partner.
The funds raised are supporting the mental health charity and Societe Generale’s ‘Advice to Action’ campaign, which helps people with mental health problems get back on track. So far, Advice to Action has helped Mind to answer almost 40,000 queries to their Infoline.
The Advice to Action campaign ran from March 2015 to February 2017. It funded 21 projects helping people with mental health problems to get support, build confidence and find employment in their communities.
Societe Generale staff raised the sum by taking part in a series of challenges including an overnight walking marathon and dragon boat races. The bank match-funded what they they raised.
The charity was chosen in a staff vote.
Paul Farmer, Mind’s Chief Executive, said:
“We are astounded at the support of Societe Generale staff over the past two years, beating their fundraising target by over £150,000! A huge thank you to everyone who has fundraised, started conversations about mental health and shared their skills to support Mind.”
Volunteering
Societe Generale staff also volunteered 791 hours to support Mind and local Minds, including workshops for local Mind creative therapies groups at the V&A Museum, Excel training sessions for beneficiaries, as well as volunteering in Mind shops.
Mind staff also worked with Societe Generale staff, providing a series of ‘Mind Weeks’ to encourage staff to consider their own mental health, and providing a number of activities including yoga, running clubs and meditation.
Sadia Ricke, Group Country Head for Societe Generale in the UK, said:
Advertisement
“Building stronger communities is a key pillar in our approach to corporate social responsibility, and we are delighted that thousands of people have and will benefit from essential support towards improved mental wellbeing through Mind’s Infoline, and other key projects that will emerge following our two-year partnership with the charity.”
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.