Greater Bank, along with its employees and customers, have raised almost $109,000 to help farming families across the drought affected areas of the Upper Hunter as they battle with the ongoing reality caused by the worst drought on record.
The customer-owned bank has donated the funds to rural support charity, Drought Angels, combining its corporate donation of $100,000 and an additional $8,750 raised by staff and customers through Greater Bank’s Flanno for a Farmer initiative.
The funds raised will be used by Drought Angels to provide both financial and wellbeing support to those in need across the Upper Hunter, New England and Central West regions, as well as other drought affected regions across NSW and South-East Queensland.
Greater Bank’s Group Executive Sales Marketing and Distribution, Craig Newham, was impressed with the generosity and commitment to the cause shown by both employees and customers.
“We operate across a range of areas currently facing hardship as a result of the drought and have seen first-hand the devastating impact this is having on families as well as communities as a whole,” Craig said.
“Our people and customers are just as passionate about this cause as we are as a business and through a combined effort, we know Drought Angels will ensure our contribution goes to assisting farming families where the need is greatest.
“Support from our employees goes above and beyond their financial contributions, with many pledging their time to volunteer with Drought Angels over the coming months as they work to allocate our funds and ensure farmers receive the help they need.”
Tash Johnston, Co-founder and Director of Drought Angels, is appreciative of the generosity shown by Greater Bank and those affiliated and reinforced the charity’s commitment to ensuring tailored assistance reaches farmers and their families.
“Our level of support consists of providing various forms of relief; from stock feed, financial assistance via pre-paid visas and local produce vouchers, as well as moral support through personal face to face and phone contact,” Tash said.
“We encourage any farming family facing hardship as a result of the drought to apply for assistance online. We endeavour to fulfil these requests and pride ourselves on our individualised approach to providing support to each and every family.”
IMAGE | Greater Bank’s Group Executive Sales Marketing and Distribution, Craig Newham, and the Co-founder and Director of Drought Angels, Tash Johnston.
