Yorkshire Building Society’s Exeter branch is on a mission to raise funds for its chosen Charity of the Year, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). To celebrate the launch of their 2012 fundraising, staff were joined by RNLI volunteers from Exmouth lifeboat station as they took part in the charity’s biggest annual fundraising event SOS Day, on Friday 27 January.

Yorkshire Building Society staff kicked off the fundraising by having a dress down day. Each branch will be supplied with RNLI branded souvenirs on regular rotation through their head office, encouraging customers and members to join the fun as they kick off their year of fundraising for the charity that saves lives at sea.

Krissy Pretty, branch manager, said: ‘I am delighted that we have chosen the RNLI as our 2012 Charity of the Year and that we are starting the fundraising by getting involved in RNLI SOS Day. The RNLI ‘s volunteer crews and lifeguards play a vital role in keeping our seas and beaches safe so I’m proud that we will be doing our bit in supporting them and giving something back to thank them for all their hard work.  I am hoping our customers and members of the public in Exeter are going to get behind us in 2012 and help us raise a fantastic amount of money for the RNLI.’

The Yorkshire Building Society – the UK’s second largest building society –  are calling their fundraising campaign Come Rain Or Shine, to acknowledge the fact that RNLI volunteers head out to sea to rescue people whatever the weather. All members of staff at the Society’s branch in the city centre will be undertaking fundraising for the charity which will be added up throughout the year to make one fantastic donation to the RNLI at the end of 2012.

The Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation, which is the focal point for all Yorkshire, Barnsley and Chelsea Building Society’s charitable giving, will also be making a significant contribution to the total raised.

All funds raised by the team at the Exeter branch and through the support of customers and members of the public will mean that the RNLI can train more of its vital volunteer lifeboat crew and lifeguards who are called to the rescue – no matter what the weather, come rain or shine!

Catherine Kaye, RNLI Corporate Partnerships Manager, said: ‘We are all thrilled that the Yorkshire Building Society have got on board with the RNLI to raise funds which will help provide vital training for our volunteer crews and lifeguards. Charity of the year partnerships like this are essential to the work of the RNLI as we rely on voluntary contributions to continue our lifesaving work.

‘RNLI SOS Day is our charity’s biggest annual fundraising event and so it is fitting that the Yorkshire Building Society campaign is launching today. The building society’s staff are already showing great enthusiasm and commitment to our cause and I feel sure that their fundraising for the RNLI is going to be a huge success.’

The RNLI was chosen as the Charity of the Year through a member vote.  Last year, Yorkshire Building Society staff managed to raise £175,000 for the 2011 Charity of the Year,  Alzheimer’s Society –  the largest amount raised by staff in the Society’s history.