When Debbie Shearer landed her dream job aged 18 she was overjoyed – but she didn’t know it would also give her the opportunity and skills to help change lives for many Cumbrians in need.
Now a senior manager at The Cumberland she has helped to spearhead the building society’s work for Cash for Kids and Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland and dedicates much of her own time to charitable work.
The job offer that changed her life came on the day she discovered she had failed her A-levels.
“I thought banking sounded like a proper career,” she said. “So I wrote to all the banks I could think of.
“When The Cumberland invited me for an interview on the day that I found out I had failed my A-levels I didn’t think I stood a chance – but they rang later that afternoon to offer me the job. I couldn’t quite believe it.”
Debbie started as office junior in the busy English Street branch in Carlisle, where after a series of promotions she would eventually become manager.
Today, Debbie is head of first-line risk and is celebrating 35 years with The Cumberland.
In addition, through her charity work, she has helped hundreds of children find hope for the future.
From shaking buckets to manning stalls and selling raffle tickets, she is happy to do it all. But she’s also using her skills learned at work to play a vital role as a trustee for both charities.
As a member of the board at Cash for Kids, Debbie helps to distribute grants – and, while every child, family and community application is important, she will never forget one particular appeal.
“We were asked to support a family who were fleeing domestic abuse,” said Debbie.
“The children were sleeping on the floor and desperately needed help. We bought them beds, but we also gave them some lovely bedding and soft toys. They weren’t asking for much and were so grateful. I still think of them.
“When I returned to be branch manager of English Street and also Fisher Street in 2012, I wanted to find a local charity the teams could get behind to support.
“When I asked the teams who that should be, the resounding response was Cash for Kids. The charity resonates passionately with colleagues and customers alike as it raises vital funds for underprivileged children across an area that almost mirrors our operating area.
“We raised the message wider across our network and HQ and everyone really got behind fundraising.
“Cumberland teams have continued to support Cash for Kids by fundraising across the years. Last year five colleagues ran the Great North Run for the charity. We are huge supporters of Mission Christmas, having collection points in all branches.”
Last Christmas, Cash for Kids ensured that 5,149 children living in poverty in Cumbria had a present to open on Christmas morning – a fact that fills Debbie with joy.
She is also an enthusiastic advocate of the work of Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland, which helped her father-in-law and mother-in-law. She is now a director trustee with a special responsibility for managing risk.
“I love the fact that I can use my skills to make a difference and give something back,” said Debbie. “It is no secret that many hospices are facing challenges in terms of funding their care and managing risk is vital to ensure the sustainability of this vital service in our communities.
“As well as attending the board meetings and subcommittees, I also support in other ways. I promote activities on social media and sell raffle tickets in local stores.
“I spent three days last year trekking the fields at Kendal Calling to raise funds and also manned a stall at World Marmalade Festival at Dalemain where the charity is the beneficiary of all sales of the award-winning marmalade sold at Fortnum & Mason.”
The services offered by Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland include day and night nursing, respite care and family support.
“All the services are free to patients and their families,” said Debbie, “however, in order to keep them running we need to raise over £1.7million every year.”
The Cumberland donated over £43,000 to Hospice at Home West Cumbria, Eden Valley Hospice and Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland last year.
This was made possible thanks to the Cumberland’s Affinity Account savers who are given the option to save and support the local causes closest to their hearts.
