- Santander will donate £1 to Charity Partner Alzheimer’s Society for each of the first 40,000 Santander Cycle hires made during National Dementia Action Week
- Bank will host dementia advice gazebo in Triton Square, London, along with bicycle challenge to raise awareness
- 100 Santander Cycles will get bespoke makeover to highlight campaign
Santander is supporting National Dementia Action Week between 20 – 26 May 2019 to help raise awareness and funds to improve the lives of people living with dementia. For each of the first 40,000 Santander Cycle rides taken on the London cycle hire scheme during the week, Santander will donate £1 to Alzheimer’s Society. In addition, 100 Santander Cycles will be receiving bespoke livery to highlight the campaign and spread awareness across London.
As well as travelling around the city, cyclists will be able to support dementia by staying in one place – Santander is encouraging people to participate in a static bike challenge which will take place outside their offices in Triton Square on Monday 20 May. The aim of the challenge is to promote awareness and encourage donations for Alzheimer’s Society, with all participants receiving Forget-Me-Not pin badges, showing support for uniting against dementia.
In addition to the static bikes in Triton Square, a team from Alzheimer’s Society will be on hand to provide information about dementia and its impact on individuals and their families. There will also be specialists available to provide private one-to-one dementia support for those who are facing the condition in their own lives.
Nathan Bostock, CEO of Santander UK, said “We’re proud to participate in Dementia Action Week and harness the power of the Santander Cycles scheme to help raise awareness and take action against dementia. We would encourage anyone in London to hop on to a Santander Cycle to help raise funds or to come along to our static bike challenge and learn about what they can do to support people with dementia as we continue to work with Alzheimer's Society to help people living with dementia to be financially included, independent and empowered.”
Will Norman, Walking and Cycling commissioner, said: “I’m really pleased that the first 40,000 Santander Cycle hires made during National Dementia Action Week will raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. Cycling is a great way to get around and see our city, but even more importantly, people who cycle regularly can reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s by up to 30 per cent. I am sure Londoners will get on their bikes to support this valuable cause.”
Jeremy Hughes, Alzheimer’s Society CEO said: “I am delighted that Santander UK is making a huge impact this Dementia Action Week. From Dementia Friends sessions happening across Santander’s offices, to the phenomenal dual branded bikes showcased in London through the week, Santander is continually transforming the dementia landscape. Not only are we raising much needed awareness, but we are incredibly grateful for Santander UK’s £40,000 donation to mark this occasion. It is so wonderful that together, we are uniting against dementia.”
Santander chose Alzheimer's Society as its national Charity Partner for 2019-2021, following a selection process which included a vote by thousands of Santander staff across the UK. The focus of the partnership is on working together to improve financial inclusion and help those within our communities who may struggle to cope with new technology, as well as employee fundraising activities and volunteering. The bank and charity are combining their respective areas of expertise, to establish joint strategic initiatives that will improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia. Santander’s ambition is to become the best digital dementia friendly bank in the UK.
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Notes to Editors
Santander UK is a financial services provider in the UK that offers a wide range of personal and commercial financial products and services. It has brought real competition to the UK, through its innovative products for retail customers and relationship banking model for UK SMEs. At 31 December 2018, the bank has c23,800 employees. It serves around 15 million active customers, via a nationwide branch network, telephone, mobile and online banking; and 64 regional Corporate Business Centres. Santander UK is subject to the full supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in the UK. Santander UK plc customers’ eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK.
Banco Santander (SAN SM, STD US, BNC LN) is a leading retail and commercial bank, founded in 1857 and headquartered in Spain. It has a meaningful presence in 10 core markets in Europe and the Americas, and is the largest bank in the euro zone by market capitalization. At the end of 2018, Banco Santander had EUR 981 billion in customer funds (deposits and mutual funds), 144 million customers, 13,000 branches and 200,000 employees. Banco Santander made attributable profit of EUR 7,810 million in 2018, an increase of 18% compared to the previous year.
The Santander Cycles scheme has 770 docking stations, covering 100 square kilometres of London. Since the scheme launched, more than 80 million hires have been made and 2018 saw another record-breaking year, with more than 10.5 million journeys made.
Last year, the process of hiring a bike was made quicker and easier with the introduction of new technology, allowing customers to pay with contactless bank cards. The upgrade also removed five stages of the payment process at all 775 terminals across London.
Encouraging people to cycle is one of the key components of the Mayor's Transport Strategy to help Londoners lead healthier and more active lives. Find out more about Europe’s largest cycle hire scheme here: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles
Media Enquiries
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