BRITANNIA branches in Cornwall — including Bude — have been putting the fun in to fundraising to help the building society reach its best ever charity fundraising total - a fantastic £400,000 birthday boost for Alzheimer's Society, the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and those who care for them.

Teaming-up with Alzheimer's Society —which celebrates its 30th birthday this year — proved a huge hit with Britannia staff and the mutual's members.

Laura Canter, manager of Britannia's Bude branch, said: "It has been great fun raising money for Alzheimer's Society during our corporate charity fundraising year. The response and support from members of the community has been absolutely brilliant. The Britannia teams in Cornwall raised almost £1,000 through raffles, coffee mornings and book sales. We would like to thank everyone in the community for digging deep and helping us to reach this fantastic total!"

Neil Hunt, chief executive of Alzheimer's Society, said: "Alzheimer's Society is thrilled with the success of our partnership with Britannia — we have enjoyed reading about all the fun activities that have taken place across the country. There are 700,000 people with dementia in the UK with numbers set to rise to one million by 2025. The money raised by Britannia — more than £400,000 — will help provide vital care for people with this devastating condition today and fund research to find a cure for tomorrow."

Across the UK, Britannia staff were running, cycling and even jumping out of planes to reach the record donation. There was Lands-End to John O' Groats cycling. Eight staff, including Neville Richardson, Britannia's group chief executive, completed the Great North Run, and, there was even a staff talent show hosted by Richard McCourt — one half of TV's Dick and Dom.

A further boost came from Britannia's Annual General Meeting (AGM) in April. The society once again pledged to donate at least 10 pence, for each vote cast, to its corporate charity. More than 450,000 Britannia members voted at this year's historic AGM — overwhelmingly supporting Britannia's merger with Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) and raising almost £57,000 for the charity.

Bob Dixon, Britannia's national manager, branches, led Britannia's team of volunteer charity champions (and, completed both the Great North Run and this year's London Marathon in support of the charity), added: "Our goal — raising £400,000 — was extremely ambitious, especially in the present economic climate. Exceeding this total is a superb achievement and testament to the energy, dedication and creativity of people here at Britannia. The whole Britannia team got behind this worthwhile cause and I really can't thank colleagues enough."