RBS International has launched its Community Involvement Strategy for 2025 to support vulnerable communities across Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Gibraltar.
The bank has committed to donating over a quarter of a million pounds in the first quarter of the year, with more expected to be announced for the remainder of 2025.
The strategy targets three key communities to support this year: vulnerable children and young people, victims of abuse including financial abuse, and people impacted by poverty.
Oliver Holbourn, CEO of RBS International, said: “The rising cost of living has impacted some of the most vulnerable communities in our local jurisdictions and is putting increasing demand on charities who are also struggling financially.
“To help with these pressures, the strategy we have announced provides targeted support to charities and community foundations that help those who need it most.
“We believe in a society where everyone can thrive and we look forward to working closely with local charities to uplift and empower these vulnerable groups.”
Jersey Child Care Trust (pictured) was the first charity to receive a donation from RBS International this year, following a selection process and fulfilling various due diligence requirements. The charity helps children and families when they need it most, focusing on eradicating childhood poverty and enabling access to crucial programmes and services.
Fiona Vacher, Executive Director, Jersey Child Care Trust, said: “We are proud to have passed the due diligence checks and to have received a generous first donation to give children their best start in life. To hear that we had met, and in some cases, exceeded the requirements was a great boost to our team who work so hard to ensure Jersey Child Care Trust is a trusted, well-run charity that makes a measurable difference for every child we help.”
The new strategy marks a continuation of the bank’s activity in the past year, having donated to a range of charities and with RBS International employees racking up a total of 8,524 volunteering hours in 2024.
Marge Balbuena, from the Isle of Man Foodbank who received a donation from RBS International in December, said: “With the generous donation we were able to purchase and distribute festive food parcels to our service users over the Christmas season – something to make the dinner table look a bit more special.”
Les Bourgs Hospice in Guernsey also received a donation from the bank last year, with Liz Stonebridge, Fundraising Administrator, commenting: “The hospice was incredibly grateful to receive support from RBS International in 2024. We are solely funded by charitable donations which means that every penny makes a difference for the continued delivery of free, specialist palliative care to our patients, as well as support for their families.”
Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager and CEO, said: “We were delighted to receive an incredible donation from RBS International last year. With rising costs and thousands of animals through our doors every year, and our biggest build in our history about to start at the animal shelter, we couldn’t do so much without individuals and businesses like RBS International.”
Picture Credit: Jersey Child Care Trust
