The Bank has donated R2-million to humanitarian organisations providing support to xenophobia victims across the country. Funds collected from FNB customers and the public will be distributed to the affected communities via Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders), which received R1-million from FNB's R2-million pledge.

“Our experience of the initiative we launched in 2004 to aid victims of the Asian tsunami showed us that there is a real desire among members of the public to help people whose lives have been turned upside down during disasters of this sort,” says Derek Carstens, FNB Brand Director. “We have seen that same sentiment coming through again - with many of our customers appealing to us to facilitate the means for them to assist their fellow human beings.”

Carstens explains that the opportunity to donate eBucks proved extremely popular during the 2004 support initiative, which is why the same approach has been taken this time. “Many people who have earned eBucks feel that there is no better way of spending these reward amounts than to help make other people's lives better. So, we encourage our customers who have unspent eBucks to donate them to this worthy cause.”

As regards Rand donations, these can be made into the following FNB account:

Account name: THE DISASTER RELIEF TRUST - Xenophobia Fund

Account number: 621-8541-8839

Branch code: 255005

FNB has waived all fees associated with this account to ensure that the full benefit of the donations is transferred to the victims. In addition to in-branch deposits, donations can be made using convenient channels such as online or cellphone banking.

Information regarding the amount of money being collected will appear on the FNB website, www.fnb.co.za. This reflection of the public's generosity will be updated on a weekly basis.

The initiative arises primarily from a deep sense of humanity, but FNB is also aware of the need to preserve stability in our society in the run up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. “As a host country, we must take seriously our 2010 responsibility on behalf of the African continent. We need to lead by example and not allow a minority to derail us from successfully hosting the first-ever FIFA World Cup in Africa,” says Carstens. FNB is the Official National Supporter of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, and is supportive of efforts to ensure that the tournament is inclusive for South Africans and Africans.

[13 Jun 2008 13:04]

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