Pictured left to right are Sean Hurley, NAS; Jackie Fitzpatriock, RBS; Helena Hurley, NatWest; Brad Whitehead, NatWest and Sahdia Salim, NatWest.

Stratford banking staff raise cash

Kay Atwal, Chief Reporter Friday, June 29, 2012
1:00 PM

Staff from the Stratford branch of a bank have raised more than £280 for a group that supports families affected by autism

Helena Hurley and Jackie Fitzpatrick donned 60s attire and sold homemade cakes, made by Helena and another bank employee, Wendy Bailey and raffle tickets to mark the 50th birthday of The National Autistic Society (NAS). The £285.63 raised will go to the local branch of the country’s leading charity for people with autism.

Helena, a customer service officer at NatWest’s Stratford branch and a committee member of the NAS Newham branch, said: “The response to our fundraising efforts has been phenomenal. So many of our customers and staff bought cakes and raffle tickets, and even our Regional Director, Brad Whitehead and Community Engagement Coach, Ruth Sullivan turned up to lend their support.

“I have two sons with autism so I know first hand the importance of getting the right support at the right time. The money raised will go a long way in ensuring the Newham branch of the NAS can continue to provide vital support for local families.”

50 years ago, the NAS started as a small group of friends frustrated at the lack of understanding and help available for them and their children. They decided to act for themselves, to transform the lives of everyone affected by autism. That small group has grown into the UK’s leading autism charity.