Our charity partners, chosen by our people

At Weatherbys, we want to go beyond box-ticking when it comes to sustainability by making positive contributions to society and the environment. Our purpose is simple – to ensure a brighter future for the next generation by tackling the challenges of today, and those of the future. It is why our charity partners have been chosen by our staff – causes that resonate with them and are close to their hearts.

We want to promote a better world, supporting initiatives that stimulate long-term environmental, social and economic well-being. Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals we have three interlinked areas of focus: planet, people and prosperity. The UN SDGs are global of course, but we also need to look at how they may relate to communities closer to home.

As a result, we are proud to announce partnerships with four charities spanning the UK in 2024/25, including national and local charities. The charities, chosen by our staff, include three that are close to their offices. The charities are Alzheimer’s Research UK, Rock Trust, City Harvest and The Daylight Centre.

Roger Weatherby, Chairman at Weatherbys Banking Group, said: “I am delighted that we have formed new partnerships with four charities, enabling our company and people to give more to charity in terms of time, energy and money. It is particularly fitting that our new partners have been chosen by our people so they can directly help small charities near their office locations. We very much look forward to sharing our skills and enthusiasm, working with our partners in the months ahead.”

Quentin Marshall, Chief Executive at Weatherbys Banking Group, said: “We have been active in donating to organisations through our Charitable Foundation for many years and we are proud to be partnering with four new charities for 2024/25. Many of our employees shared their personal experiences coping with friends and family affected by dementia. We all have the potential to make a significant impact and we look forward to supporting out partners in the coming months.”

This is the first time we have teamed up with a dementia charity, with the decision being made after many of our staff shared personal experiences. Dementia affects almost one million people in the UK alone. Tragically, not one of them will survive. Alzheimer’s Research UK exists to change that. The charity is striving for a cure by revolutionising the way dementia is treated, diagnosed and prevented. With recent breakthroughs in the search for new treatments, there’s never been a more exciting time to join forces with the charity.

Lucy Squance, Director of Supporter Led Fundraising at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

“Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, with one in ten people dying from the condition. We cannot let this go on and we won’t. With the support from people and organisations like Weatherbys, we’re closer than ever to ending the heartbreak caused by dementia. Alzheimer’s Research UK is thrilled to begin our two-year partnership and we look forward to seeing what we can achieve together. Thank you, Weatherbys, for standing with us in our search for a cure.”

Rock Trust has been Scotland’s youth homelessness charity for more than 30 years. The trust has supported young people aged 16–25 to avoid and move on from homelessness, which disproportionately impacts Scotland’s young people. The charity works with schools and the community to help young people early, providing safe, youth-specific housing options and support to move forward with their lives. Last year, with the help of its supporters and partners, it reached over 900 young people.

Some 13.3 million meals are wasted every month in Greater London. Yet at the same time, more than 10 million meals are being skipped each month by people who cannot afford enough to eat. To counter this, City Harvest delivers nutritious surplus from partners such as Nando’s and Charlie Bigham’s, as well as farms, wholesalers, retailers and manufacturers to hundreds of charities across Greater London, and beyond, that feed people who are experiencing food poverty. Since 2014, City Harvest has delivered over 50 million meals to people in need.

Based in our hometown, the Daylight Centre assists disadvantaged and vulnerable adults, particularly those who are sleeping rough or are in vulnerable housing, those in poverty and those who are socially isolated. The centre operates a community hub in the centre of the town offering a range of services to those in need, including access to hot showers, clothing, bedding, laundry facilities and food for anyone who is street homeless or lacking in facilities. It also provides a food bank to support people in their time of greatest need or crisis.

The Foundation was established in 2007 and, over the years, it has helped many initiatives including:

  • rehabilitation and mental health support to those in the racing industry
  • therapy for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses or disabilities
  • support for people affected by all forms of autism
  • the planting of trees in UK forests
  • delivering clean water, hygiene and improved sanitation to developing countries
  • literacy and business training for communities in the developing world.