Bringing AIB ‘Together’ to support communities

Michelle Emerson, chair of AIB’s Charity Forum in the UK, has supported the bank’s community and charity initiatives over the past year. Championing the bank’s AIB Together community and investment programme, which supports charities and community initiatives across the UK and Ireland that are important to the bank’s employees – Michelle has supported the far-reaching programme for 2021 through a new UK charity partnership.

Tuesday 23 February 2021

Bringing AIB ‘Together’ to support communities

Michelle Emerson, chair of AIB’s Charity Forum in the UK, has supported the bank’s community and charity initiatives over the past year. Championing the bank’s AIB Together community and investment programme, which supports charities and community initiatives across the UK and Ireland that are important to the bank’s employees – Michelle has supported the far-reaching programme for 2021 through a new UK charity partnership.

“Founded in 2018, the AIB Together programme has captured the passion, empathy and determination of employees right across the business to try and make a difference in the local communities we operate in and support causes that are close to our staff’s hearts,” explains Michelle.

“As chair of the Charity Forum in the UK, I was keen to build on our engagement to date and harness the collective enthusiasm of team members. ‘Following a vote across our staff in the UK, Cancer Research UK were selected as our chosen charity partner for 2021.’We are overjoyed to be supporting such an important cause which will see staff raise vital funds for the organisation to help the amazing work they do on a daily basis,” explains Michelle.

“Cancer affects so many people and many friends, loved ones and colleagues have been touched by it directly. That’s why at AIB we’re committed to raising as much money as we can this year to help beat cancer."

“I am confident that our customers will help our eager teams pull out all the stops to support the partnership. We have all kinds of fundraising events in the pipeline presenting plenty of opportunities to come together for a great cause.”

The charity of the year relationship complements to the community support being delivered as part of the AIB Together Group programme. Michelle explains, “each AIB team member has two volunteering days per year to support their chosen cause or one of AIB’s core community partners. In 2020, every AIB branch and business centre across the AIB network received £1,000 to donate to a charity of its choice to help support those most vulnerable in the local community that were adversely affected by the pandemic.”

As part of the programme, the bank launched the AIB Together Fund with its core community partners last year to further support those impacted by the pandemic. Staff can donate directly to the fund with the total amount then matched by the bank. To date, over €422,000 has been donated to our charity partners.

“From providing extra funding to hands-on support, the AIB Together programme is making a difference to charitable causes and reflects the community ethos and spirit of the bank and its teams,” says Michelle. “We were proud to help many organisations across the UK and Ireland last year including Age NI and Age UK. We have all been deeply touched by the services offered by charities during these difficult times and are keen to support in any way we can.”

As Chair of the Charity Forum and Sponsor of AIB Together in the UK, Michelle explains that the team are always exploring how they can help deliver meaningful change and support. “A key motivator for me has been seeing how eager team members are to get involved in causes that will support communities and customers. Establishing a new partnership for 2021 builds on the positive activity to date and helps colleagues get more involved in the issues that inspire them.”

Tuesday 23 February 2021