Accord Mortgages staff have spent almost 3,000 hours helping out at charities and good causes in communities across the UK during 2017.

The Yorkshire Building Society, which includes the intermediary lender Accord, offers every colleague up to 31 hours’ paid leave every year to help out at a charity or good cause of their choice through its corporate volunteering programme.

More than 190 people who work for Accord, including BDMs, underwriters and those who work in the lender’s support functions, have contributed to the total figure which equates to approximately 86 working days.

Colleagues are able to choose their own volunteering tasks, as well as getting involved in pre-arranged activities which can range from helping out at a local food bank, using their gardening skills to maintain a primary school garden or walking dogs at an animal rescue centre.

In 2017 Accord colleagues also raised £2,900 for Yorkshire Building Society’s charity partner End Youth Homelessness (EYH), which is a national movement to end homelessness among 16-25 year-olds in the UK.

Through the partnership, the Society aims to raise £750,000 to support over 700 homeless young people into their own rented homes.

Avison Warren, underwriter manager at Accord, said: “Our number one focus at Accord is people – as much as this is about brokers and their clients it’s also about the communities we serve.

“I’m so proud that we have been able to spend 3,000 hours helping organisations and charities that really make a difference.

“As an organisation we recognise that time can be just as valuable a gift as money to charities and community groups. Our most valuable assets are our colleagues who have a wealth of experience, skills and enthusiasm to share with others.”