The Cumberland has donated over £100,000 to local charities and causes through a range of initiatives.
The building society, which has a Kinder Banking ethos, has supported hospices and wildlife conservation and helped tackle food poverty.
One of the longest-standing initiatives is the Affinity Accounts scheme, which sees The Cumberland donate a percentage of the average total balances in these accounts.
Each year, this generates vital funding for a number of charities chosen by customers. This year, the Cumberland Blues Affinity Account raised £7,130.11 for Carlisle United, continuing the society’s close relationship with the football club.
The Cumberland Hospice Accounts generated a total pot of £55,196.20, which will be shared equally between Eden Valley Hospice, Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland, and Hospice at Home West Cumbria.
Each organisation will receive £18,398.73, which will go directly towards providing end-of-life care and vital support for patients and families across the county.
Debbie McKenna, CEO of Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland, said: “With demand for our services growing and over 85% of our funding coming from donations, this contribution will make a vital difference in ensuring we can continue to provide free, high-quality care across our region.
“On behalf of our patients, families, staff, and volunteers, I extend heartfelt thanks to The Cumberland and their members for helping us to be there when we are needed most.”
Eleanor Viney, head of income generation at Eden Valley Hospice, said: “Thank you to The Cumberland and their wonderful Affinity Account holders, who have made such a generous donation possible.
“£18,398.73 will make a huge difference in ensuring our care can continue now, and in the weeks and months to come. This gift to support local families really does make a world of difference.”
The Cumberland is also helping to protect Cumbria’s wildlife. Through its partnership with Cumbria Wildlife Trust, the society has funded conservation work to protect endangered red squirrels, a much-loved species whose numbers are under pressure.
This year’s donation of £22,000 is supporting ranger Joshua Adams, who is working in the red squirrels’ Lakeland heartland between Grasmere and Grizedale.
His role involves monitoring populations, protecting habitats, and engaging with local communities to ensure these much-loved animals have a future in Cumbria’s woodlands.
James Jolly, donor support officer at the trust, said: “This support has enabled us to provide a red squirrel ranger to set up and keep clean red squirrel feeding and monitoring stations, to give them the best chance of survival.
“In addition, specially designed drey boxes have been installed to provide nesting places for them to give birth and rear kits.
“The partnership with the Cumberland is about more than just financial support though, as many of the building society’s staff teams have helped out with practical activities to help improve nature in Cumbria.”
Community giving also extended to The Cumberland’s 175th annual general meeting in July. For every member who cast a vote, the society pledged to donate £2 to its Kinder Kind of Kitchen initiative, which supports organisations tackling food insecurity.
A total of 8,081 members took part, with all resolutions passed and £16,162 raised. Of this, £14,098 will go to FareShare Lancashire and Cumbria, helping to provide meals for people in need across the region. A further £2,064 will support FareShare Glasgow and the West of Scotland, extending the impact beyond Cumbria’s borders.
The Cumberland’s colleagues have also played their part. Every year, when employees take part in the society’s internal engagement survey, B Heard, The Cumberland pledges a donation to FareShare Cumbria and Lancashire. Contributions from both the 2024 and 2025 surveys will add up to a further £2,578, providing additional funding for an organisation that plays a crucial role in redistributing surplus food to charities and community groups.
Carlisle cluster manager, Barry Ridley said: “Our members and colleagues have once again helped us to make a real difference to local lives.
“Whether it’s supporting hospice care, helping to save red squirrels, or ensuring families have access to good food, these contributions show the positive impact we can achieve when we work together. We’re proud to support organisations that play such a vital role across Cumbria and beyond.”
