Leeds Building Society has hit its three-year fundraising target of raising £300,000 for Barnardo’s within just 18 months.

Fundraising through the partnership, which launched in April 2024, has included a five day climb of Morocco's Mount Toubkal last month, which raised £15,600 and took the total raised so far above its three year target.

Other fundraising has included sky dives, golf days and a Savings Bond campaign.

Money raised will contribute towards the charity’s construction of gap homes in Glasgow and Lincoln. These are purpose-built homes for young people leaving the care system to allow them to live independently, while still being able to access Barnardo’s support.

“Reaching our £300,000 target so far ahead of schedule shows just how committed our colleagues and members are to be supporting Barnardo’s,” said the building society’s director of brand and marketing Nikki Dixon.

“I’m really pleased to share that we are now setting our sights even higher, with a new £500,000 target, so that we can continue to make a lasting difference for children and young people leaving care.”

The partnership also includes awareness raising of the challenges faced by care-experienced young people.

Barnardo’s chief executive Lynn Perry said: “We're delighted that Leeds Building Society has embraced our charity partnership with such enthusiasm, enabling them to reach their three-year fundraising target within only 18 months.

“We’re grateful to everyone involved for this incredible achievement and to all that braved the mountain slopes in support of the work we do.

“Parenting doesn’t end when a child turns 18, and for young people in the care of the state, our responsibilities cannot end there either.

“This is especially important when we know that one in three care leavers become homeless in the first two years after they leave care.” 

She added: “Our partnership with Leeds Building Society goes beyond fundraising, making sure that the challenges faced by young people leaving the care system are voiced and heard by many more people.”

---