Buzzing bankers raise over £2,900 for charity through marathon effort

Dedicated staff from Handelsbanken UK took on a marathon challenge, raising an impressive £2,911.25 for Birmingham Hospice.

The team, consisting of employees from the bank’s Birmingham and Bromsgrove branches, embarked on the gruelling run to support the hospice’s vital palliative care services.

The marathon began at Handelsbanken's Worcester branch and spanned across Bromsgrove and Edgbaston, finishing at the Colmore Row branch in Birmingham.

The runners were welcomed at the finish line by a member of Birmingham Hospice’s Corporate Fundraising team, along with the hospice mascot, Hettie.

The inspiration for this fundraising effort came last year when Handelsbanken staff met with the Fundraising Team from Birmingham Hospice and learned about the compassionate care it provides for individuals with life-limiting illnesses.

Moved by the hospice’s mission, the team was determined to support the cause and prepared extensively for the marathon by setting up running clubs and completing practice runs.

Jessica Roberts, private banking manager of Handelsbanken’s Birmingham branch, said: "We felt so moved when we met with the Birmingham Hospice team, who shared details about their compassionate care they provide to terminally ill people within our community. We knew we needed to offer support to the hospice.

“To prepare, we set up running clubs and ran many miles in practice. It was so much fun. We felt incredibly lucky to have so much support from our team and clients who donated to this wonderful charity.”

Luke Manley, corporate fundraising manager at Birmingham Hospice, praised the team’s efforts: “We are incredibly grateful to Handelsbanken for their exceptional support during this critical time for Birmingham Hospice.

“Their fundraising has come at a moment when we are facing a £2.4 million funding deficit and have had to make the difficult decision to reduce our workforce by 14 per cent.

“The dedication of all the runners from Handelsbanken, who ran a remarkable marathon, will make a real difference. The funds they raised could provide 18 Occupational Therapist visits, helping patients maintain independence in their final days. We simply cannot thank them enough.”

Corporate support, such as the incredible backing from Handelsbanken, is more crucial than ever as Birmingham Hospice navigates its current funding crisis.

The hospice has launched a Crisis Appeal to raise awareness of the challenges facing the sector and to seek further support from businesses and the community.

If your business or organisation would like to support Birmingham Hospice, please contact the corporate fundraising team by emailing fundraise@birminghamhospice.org.uk.