Staff at United Trust Bank have chosen national charity Refuge to be the Bank’s charity of the year for 2019.

Refuge aims to support and protect women and children who have experienced domestic abuse and violence by providing specialist services and practical and emotional support to those fleeing abuse.

UTB staff will be raising money for Refuge through various events and challenges organised throughout this year. The aim is also to increase awareness of the work carried out by Refuge and the importance of protecting women from all forms of abuse and intimidation.

Sandra Horley CBE, chief executive for Refuge, said: “We are very pleased that United Trust Bank has chosen Refuge as its official 2019 charity of the year and I’m looking forward to working with the UTB team. With one in four women experiencing abuse there is great demand on our services so we are enormously grateful for every penny raised.”

Georgie Reisser-Weston (pictured), chair of United Trust Bank’s Charity Committee, added: “Each year we ask our staff to propose charities they would like the Bank to consider supporting as its official ‘Charity of the Year’ and after a company-wide vote amongst the UTB team, Refuge stood out above the rest.

“Sadly, stories of violence, abuse and harassment towards women have become all too frequent. Fortunately, excellent charities like Refuge help women and their children to escape or deal with situations no one should have to face alone. Refuge tackles difficult issues including domestic abuse, modern slavery, human trafficking and forced marriage and we are proud to be able to help them in their work.”