This morning saw three high level HSBC Bankers roll up their sleeves to take part in the Island’s first inter-bank Bankers’ Bake Off. The competition is being run in aid of the Jersey Child Care Trust (JCCT), a local charity delivering a variety of programmes to enable all our children to have the best start. Following on from their ‘Cream Teas for JCCT’ fundraiser, which raised over £18,000 last year, the bankers were busy making and baking their own scones in front of their colleagues and a judging panel. Their scones were then sold to raise money to help JCCT to help more children.
And this is just the first of four different Bake Offs, as banks battle it out over the course of this month to see who can raise the most money for the charity.
Mrs Fiona Vacher, JCCT Executive Director said: “One vital element of our work is supporting young children with special educational needs and disabilities, like Megan. Megan is one of 30 children that the charity is currently supporting in 15 different private nurseries and preschools in Jersey. Without the charity, Megan wouldn’t be able to go to nursery. The charity employs trained and qualified Support Workers who support each child with their individual needs. We are a lifeline to so many families in Jersey and we couldn’t do what we do without the support of others. We are incredibly grateful to everyone at HSBC, as well as the other banks getting involved, who are stepping right outside of their comfort zones to raise funds for us!”
But it isn’t just the charity that benefits from the Bake Off. Last year, when HSBC ran the first ever Bake Off at their headquarters, the bankers commented that the event created some of their best engagement with their teams across the Island in a long time. Mrs Vacher continues: “Following the success of last year’s HSBC Bake Off, it made sense to invite other banks to get involved. It creates a unique opportunity for our banks in Jersey to collaborate on something that directly benefits our community.”
“It has been fantastic fun to take part in the Bankers’ Bake Off today,” said John Goddard, Head of RBWM, CIIOM at HSBC. “And a great opportunity to raise the profile of JCCT, as it is such as good cause, and to do it in a way that makes people smile."
He went on to issue a challenge. “We challenge the other banks to a Bankers’ Bake Off between the winners from each bank so we can have a grand Bankers’ Bake Off champion.”
So watch this space - will their challenge be accepted...