What's a vote worth?

For the third consecutive year, Nationwide Building Society plans to make a donation for votes cast in its AGM. This year the Society will contribute 20 pence per vote cast and is aiming to raise £250,000 to help, its flagship charity, Macmillan Cancer Support.

Over 7.5 million Nationwide members qualify to vote this year and can vote by post, at any branch, online at nationwide.co.uk or at the AGM itself.

The Society is targeting a minimum of 1.25 million members to use their vote, generating up to £250,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Macmillan's ambition is to reach everyone affected by cancer and to provide them with the information, care and support they need. This initiative is one of a range designed to encourage as many members as possible to use their vote. Nationwide is proud of its mutual roots and therefore wants to encourage members to have their say and in doing so help to support people living with cancer.

The money raised will be used by Macmillan Cancer Support to fund two Cancer Information and Support Centres. The charity identified the need for a number of dedicated Information Centres in hospitals across the UK. The concept is to offer consultation and alternative therapy rooms together with a fulltime information officer, to work alongside standard hospital treatment. Nationwide members' votes will help fund two centres in Durham and Plymouth.

In addition, if members register their vote by 17 July they will automatically be entered in to a free prize draw, to win one of ten prizes of £1,000 which will be credited to a Nationwide account of their choice.

Commenting on the link, Graham Beale, chief executive of Nationwide Building Society, said: "I'm pleased to be able to announce that for the third consecutive year, members voting in Nationwide's AGM can help make a real difference to people's lives. This year we have chosen to strengthen our relationship with Macmillan, our flagship charity, which supports people living with cancer. I very much hope that our members will use their vote and be committed in helping us raise a substantial sum for such a worthy cause."

Jason Suckley, head of corporate partnerships and events at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "We are delighted that Nationwide has chosen to support us through their AGM voting. The money raised will help us to improve our information and support services through two dedicated Cancer Information and Support Centres. Nationwide has been a strong supporter of Macmillan for over 15 years and this gives members an excellent opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of people affected by cancer."

Nationwide has supported Macmillan Cancer Support, its flagship charity, for over 15 years and has raised over £5 million for people living with cancer.