Barnardo’s and Lloyds TSB join forces to make a real difference for children

Barnardo’s is delighted to announce that it has been appointed as Lloyds TSB ‘Charity of the Year’ for 2007.

Together, Barnardo’s and Lloyds TSB hope to raise over £1 million to fund vocational and educational training schemes, helping to secure the future of thousands of disadvantaged young people across the UK.

Martin Narey, Barnardo’s Chief Executive, said: “I would like to extend my thanks to all of the staff at Lloyds TSB for voting Barnardo’s as their charity of the year. We are proud to work with more than 110,000 children and young people, throughout the UK, who suffer significant disadvantage. The harsh reality is that in one of the richest economies in the world, thousands of UK children have their life chances gravely diminished by being in care, by disability, by homelessness or by poverty. We are delighted to be receiving Lloyds TSB’s support and will dedicate it to the training and education of disadvantaged and vulnerable young people. We know we will not always succeed. But we know that sometimes we can change their lives.”

Sally Jones–Evans, Lloyds TSB executive sponsor of their Charity of the Year Programme, added: “We are absolutely delighted that Barnardo’s have been chosen as Lloyds TSB’s Charity of the Year 2007. Record numbers of staff participated in the voting process this year and if this is a gauge on staff support Barnardo’s could well benefit to the tune of over a £1 million. We look forward to the year ahead and helping provide vital funds for a very deserving cause.”

Barnardo’s faced competition from over a hundred charities before securing what will be their largest single corporate relationship of 2007. Lloyds TSB’s 68,000 staff will be fundraising for the children’s charity throughout the year.

One of Barnardo’s projects that will benefit from the partnership will be the Palmersville Training Centre in Newcastle. The Centre provides disadvantaged young people with significant learning disabilities and behavioural and emotional problems with realistic work environments where they can be trained and can gain qualifications in a range of professions.

The project operates a Barnardo’s retail shop, a Buttery restaurant and a hairdressing and beauty salon. All are open to the general public and provide students with vital vocational skills, and an understanding and experience of the work ethic.

Palmersville offers a whole host of training options including NVQ Levels 1 and 2 in Catering, Administration, IT, Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Painting and decorating, Warehousing and Retailing.