Danske Bank donated the use of the poster sites at bus shelters and billboards to help raise awareness of Extern’s coronavirus hardship appeal and reach many more members of the public who may need help or are able to support the charity’s work.

Danske announced Extern as its new charity partner at the start of the year. As well as the advertising space, Danske Bank has donated 250 food and drink hampers and the proceeds from recycling old Apple devices.

Personal donations from Danske Bank staff - both financial and in terms of essential items like cleaning products, clothes and old mobile phones, have allowed Extern to assist children and families who are vulnerable in a timely way, ensuring their individual needs are supported. Danske employees are also coming up with innovative ways to fundraise during lockdown, from sponsored head shaves to TikTok dance challenges.

Extern has adapted its services to ensure that the people it supports will be able to access the supports they require. Measures include using online technology to update and connect with people, delivering packages of food and essential supplies, and ensuring acute frontline services for mental health and homelessness are available as usual.

Charlie Mack, CEO at Extern, said: “While we are all working to adapt to the uncertainty at the moment, what never changes is our commitment to the people we serve. Every day we meet people who are in crisis and have seen an increase in demand for our services during this pandemic. The support from Danske is truly appreciated and has helped enable us to adapt our services to meet the current crisis head on and is helping raise much-needed awareness of the issues and how the public can help.”

Richard Caldwell, MD of Personal Banking & Small Business, added:

“The families and individuals supported by Extern need help now more than ever. Due to the lockdown we have had to postpone a number of fundraising events, but from the outset of this crisis our colleagues have been telling us they still want to do something to help. We are in regular contact with the fantastic team at Extern to understand where the needs are in the current climate. This means we can adapt our support as best we can to meet those needs, for example, through branches creating bespoke hampers for local families identified by Extern as being in need.”

Any gift, big or small, will make a huge difference to the charity’s service users at this time of crisis.

To find out more about Extern’s Coronavirus Hardship Fund visit www.extern.org