Staff from Ulster Bank branches and head office are chalking miles of steps for charity as part of an annual fundraising initiative.
The charity campaign, One Week in June is now in its eight year and is hoping to break through the £1 million mark of charity funds raised over this period.
Fundraising events this year underline the theme Your Health is Your Wealth and funds raised will be shared equally between AWARE and Macmillan Cancer Support.
Staff have been getting their creative thinking caps on to come up with a range of traditional, quirky and unusual ways of raising cash. Outdoor activities contributing to the five million steps total include, hill walking challenges in the Mournes and Fermanagh, a staff football match at Crusaders’ club grounds, a Castlewellan Community Walk and colleagues entering the Lisburn Half marathon, 10K and 5K runs on June 19.
Customers are invited to donate cash by supporting bank prize draws, hampers, free morning coffee or afternoon tea events.
AWARE Chief Executive Karen Collins said: “The money raised will continue to support and further develop the important work AWARE does in communities throughout Northern Ireland.
“Our weekly and fortnightly support groups are a lifeline for those with depression, as discussing and sharing experiences with people who understand the illness is an essential element of the recovery process.”
Joanne Young, Senior Fundraising Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support commented: “Many people at Ulster Bank have experienced at first hand the vital support from a range of services provided by Macmillan in Northern Ireland, especially our incredible Macmillan nurses and we’re delighted that they wanted to support us and give back to the charity.”