It has donated 5% of its profits to support the community since 2017, helping a wide range of groups and initiatives.
Although the building society renews the promise annually, this year its chief executive Andrew Craddock (pictured) has announced it will maintain the 5% pledge until 2025 to tie in with the 200th anniversary of the world’s first public railway between Stockton and Darlington.
Craddock had planned to unveil the ‘five per cent for five years’ pledge to members at this year’s annual general meeting.
However, the meeting could not go ahead in the normal way, due to the coronavirus pandemic, so the promise was still made at a virtual event.
The board is also exploring ways to top up the amount given to local communities during that period.
Craddock said: “The 5% pledge is close to our hearts, so we want it to continue despite all the challenges. Our communities still need our help so that financial support will remain in place, not just annually, but for the next five years.”
Volunteering
Staff volunteering is also a big part of Darlington Building Society’s community commitment and that has also been reinforced during the Covid-19 crisis.
At the start of the lockdown, the building society promised staff they would be kept on full pay even though some have been working part-time due to the challenges posed by the pandemic.
They were encouraged to use that spare capacity to help their local communities, and a large number signed up to volunteer for the NHS.
As a southerner, being born and raised in Buckinghamshire, Mr Craddock said he was impressed by the strength of community spirit in the North-East. He thought the response of the staff at Darlington Building Society was typical of that sense of togetherness.
“We are all going through difficult times, but it is the acts of kindness, and the way people are looking out for each other, that have been so inspiring,” he added.
“That is particularly evident in the North-East – and I’m proud that Darlington Building Society is playing its full part and has remained open for business throughout.”
