£8,600 BOOST THANKS TO INTERNET

Last updated 11:39, Wednesday, 14 May 2008

CUMBERLAND Building Society’s pledge to help the environment by reducing paper statements has resulted in an £8,620 gift to charity.

Green scheme: Cumberland Building Society’s John Kidd with members of BTCV

The society promised it would donate £5 to BTCV (formerly the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) for every internet banking customer who opted to stop receiving paper statements.

So far, over 1,700 customers have signed up to the scheme, resulting in the first donation.

The cash will help green initiatives, including a project at Heathlands Farm, near Carlisle, where land is being cleared to create nature trails, ponds and market gardening facilities.

This site is being developed with The Glenmore Trust to provide opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

John Kidd, finance director at the Cumberland, handed over the cheque to BTCV.

He said: “Their hard work provides many benefits, not just from an environmental perspective, but also to the communities that will be able to use these new facilities.

“We hope that we will be able to make further donations to assist them with their work.”

Craig Bright, online marketing manager at the Cumberland, said: “Many customers who are choosing to bank online are finding they no longer need to receive paper statements.”