Bank employees raise record amount for guide dog charity

Employees at Solihull-based Paragon Banking Group have smashed their charity fundraising target, raising a record £59,000 for the company charity of the year, Guide Dogs UK.

Colleagues at the financial services company, located on Homer Road, set a target of raising £35,000 in the year to the end of September through a series of employee-led charity events.

Highlights included a team bike ride from the company’s London office to Homer Road, with one employee walking the same route, a Brecon Hike, The Big Quiz, a car wash, food sales and numerous other activities.

Guide Dogs provide life-changing support for people with sight loss - from training guide dogs and teaching vital mobility skills to offering dedicated services for children, young people, and their families. Funds raised go will help more people live confident, independent and fulfilling lives.

As a result of Paragon’s fundraising the team have named four new guide dog puppies and will be following their journeys as they grow and train towards becoming life-changing guide dogs.

 Deborah Bateman, external relations director and executive sponsor of the charity committee, said: "It’s fantastic that with everyone's support from across the company we've raised a record amount for Guide Dogs UK.  It's great to have supported such a worthwhile cause and to know we're helping people who are experiencing sight loss.”

Lora Sinicola, process development analyst and chair of the charity committee, added: "I am thrilled at this year's total and exceeding our original fundraising target of £35,000. I know that this money will make a difference to the lives of those living with sight loss and it will hopefully mean another puppy can make it through training to help someone in the future.”

Kyla McVicar, Community & Corporate Business Development manager at Guide Dogs, commented: “We’ve absolutely loved working with the Paragon team over the past year and hearing about the fantastic fundraising they’ve taken on - from the Labrador vs Retriever swimathon to car washes and office events. We’re so grateful for their incredible support; every penny raised helps people with sight loss live life to the fullest. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved for making such a difference”

Paragon employees have voted for Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) as its charity partner for the new financial year, with fundraising activity running between October 2025 and September 2026.