Employees at Solihull-headquartered Paragon Banking Group have raised £31,165 for the company’s chosen charity for 2021-22, Mind.

Employees across Paragon Banking Group throughout the year raised funds for the mental health charity.

The total was raised through donations, and sponsorship for series of fundraising events, including members of staff completing a climb of Mount Snowdon, a 24-hour static bike ride and the sale of festival headbands at Paragon’s all-staff summer party.

Alongside the total amount raised for Mind, Paragon has selected Newlife as the Group’s new charity of the year. Fundraising started in October 2022 and will run through until September 2023.

Newlife was established in 2016 and quickly provides emergency equipment services to terminally ill and disabled children around the UK. The charity’s nurses support families, its researchers work to improve children’s health and its dedicated team campaign for a fairer deal for children and carers.

There are around one million disabled and terminally ill children in the UK. Thousands of them rely on Newlife to get the equipment they need and the charity runs the only fast track equipment services in the UK helping those children in urgent need.

Jennie Smith, Chair of the Charity Committee at Paragon, said: “It has taken an outstanding effort to raise such an incredible amount of money for Mind in just nine months. This just goes to show the generosity of our people and I know this is going to help so many.

“I am very excited about fundraising for our new charity partner, Newlife, and to be able to support disabled children and their families with the challenges they face.”

Deborah Bateman, Director of External Relations at Paragon, commented: “We’ve been honoured to support Mind and the incredible work they do to support those with mental health problems, and I thank the team at Mind for their help, encouragement and enthusiasm for Paragon’s fundraising activities. 

“I’d also like to say a massive thank you and well done to the Paragon team for the truly amazing work throughout the past year. It was an absolutely incredible effort by everyone – and the result is outstanding.”  

Charlotte Porter, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Mind, said: “We’re so thankful to Paragon Bank for their support over the past nine months. We’ve loved seeing members of the team who have gone out of their way to step outside of their comfort zone to take on challenges such as climbing Snowdon and taking on a 24-hour cycle challenge. A massive well done to everyone involved. We can’t thank you enough for your support!

“The pandemic has had a devastating effect on the nation’s mental health, especially for those of us with existing mental health problems, and it is vital that everyone has access to the right support, advice and information when they need it. The money raised by Paragon Bank will enable us to continue to provide support so that no one has to face their mental health problem alone.”

For further information contact:
Annette Coyle
Media Relations Executive
Tel: 0121 712 2526

www.paragonbank.co.uk

Notes to editors:
 

Paragon Bank PLC a subsidiary of the Paragon Banking Group PLC which is a FTSE 250 company based in Solihull in the West Midlands. Established in 1985, Paragon Banking Group PLC has over £13 billion of assets under management and manages over 450,000 customer accounts.

Paragon Bank PLC is authorised and regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Registered in England number 05390593. Registered office 51 Homer Road, Solihull, West Midlands, B91 3QJ. Paragon Bank PLC is registered on the Financial Services Register under the firm reference number 604551.

About Mind

Mind, the mental health charity, provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. They won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets both support and respect. mind.org.uk

Mind has a confidential information and support line, Mind Infoline, available on 0300 123 3393 (lines open 9am - 6pm, Monday – Friday)

For information and support on staying mentally healthy at this time, visit www.mind.org.uk/coronavirus

Mind’s online mental health community Side by Side is a safe space where anyone aged 18 and over with experience of a mental health problem can share their story, connect with others, access Mind’s wider information and resources, and give support in return. Find out more at www.sidebyside.mind.org.uk