CUSTOMER-OWNED BANK HELPS ACT CHILDREN LIVING WITH CANCER

Children from the ACT will take a much-needed break from hospital and cancer treatments this weekend when they head off on a Camp Quality get away this week.

The camp for 22 children living with cancer and their families will be held from Friday, February 7 to Sunday, February 9 at Stanwell Tops thanks to the support of one of Australia’s largest and most respected customer-owned banks, Beyond Bank Australia.

General Manager Community Development at Beyond Bank Australia, Peter Rutter, says the bank has been a longstanding supporter of Camp Quality, raising more than $60,000 to fund four camps nationally over the past six months to provide some welcome fun for children and their families.

"The camp is free for the families to attend and provides a chance for them to spend some quality time together away from the stresses of home and hospital," Mr Rutter said.

"It’s a relaxed environment that also enables families to connect with others who are on a similar journey."

Mr Rutter said the Bank had donated funds for the camp through an advocacy initiative that contributed a sum of money on behalf of each new customer who was referred from an existing Beyond Bank customer.

"More than 3000 new members have signed up under this advocacy initiative to raise the $60,000 needed to fund four camps in Canberra, the Hunter Valley, SA and WA," he said.

Camp Quality Public Relations Manager, Garry Nunn　said: "Families tell us that having something to look forward to and the chance to create some fun family memories during particularly difficult times, makes a real difference."

"We run a number of camps each year around the country and couldn’t do that without the generous support of volunteers and donors like Beyond Bank Australia.

"On behalf of our families who have a child living with cancer, a huge thanks to Beyond Bank which will enable us to support another 18 families for a full year of our resilience-building support."

About BEYOND BANK AUSTRALIA

With more than 200,000 members and assets under management approaching $4 billion, Beyond Bank Australia is one of the nation's largest 100% customer-owned financial institutions. It operates 49 branches across South Australia, Western Australia, Wagga Wagga, the Hunter Valley and the ACT, and provides banking services and wealth management, tax and accounting services. It also supports a range of community endeavours via the Beyond Bank Foundation.

Before its launch as a mutual bank on 1 August 2013, Beyond Bank Australia traded as the Community CPS Australia Credit Union Group, and was known as Wagga Mutual Credit Union, Companion Credit Union, Alliance One Credit Union and United Community Credit Union. The Community CPS Group received Money magazine’s Credit Union of the Year award (2012, 2008) and Best Credit Union award (2005), and was also winner of the Mozo People’s Choice Award for Best Credit Union (2012). For more information visit www.beyondbank.com.au