RBC wins award at the annual Mayor of London Volunteering Awards

On Monday 14 October, staff from Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) took time out from the trading floor to accept an Employer Supported Volunteering Award at City Hall for their volunteering efforts with Ronald McDonald House Charities UK. Part of the annual Mayor of London Volunteering Awards, the accolade recognises corporate organisations that have gone above and beyond to volunteer for their charity of choice.

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK is an independent charity which began in 1989, and in that time, has supported nearly 50,000 families. The Charity provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation to families with children undergoing medical care in nearby hospitals. With 11 Houses all over the UK, the Charity’s mission is to offer a lifeline of support to as many families as possible.

RBC’s involvement with Ronald McDonald House Charities UK began in August 2015 as the brainchild of Jordan Lorch, Director of Global Markets Relationship Management at RBC Capital Markets. Jordan had volunteered for the American chapter of the Charity when he was based in New York. After seeing the impact RBC’s volunteering had on the Charity, he was keen to cultivate a relationship between RBC and Ronald McDonald House Charities UK when he transferred to the London office in 2014.

Since RBC’s partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities UK was established it has grown from strength to strength, and to date, RBC volunteers have raised over £500,000. Initially, the RBC team introduced ‘Takeaway Tuesdays’ to the Ronald McDonald Evelina London House, which saw RBC volunteers organising Dominos or Nando’s deliveries for families returning to the House after a long day with their child in hospital. Volunteering activities now include gardening, decorating, organising themed events like Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s Day, and participating in challenges such as the recent Royal Parks Half Marathon, which saw 20 RBC fundraisers from both sides of the Atlantic take part.

Speaking at City Hall, Jordan Lorch, Director of Global Markets Relationship Management at RBC Capital Markets said:

“We are thrilled to receive this award today as recognition for the volunteering we do for Ronald McDonald House Charities UK. Having seen the relationship between RBC and the Charity in the States, I was excited to try and develop the same partnership in the UK. I am so proud of the partnership we’ve developed with this Charity, as the work they do is a necessity to so many families. Long may it continue!”

Jon Haward, Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities UK commented:

“It is corporate organisations like RBC that truly deserve awards and recognition like this. The RBC team’s efforts have made such a difference to families during the most difficult time of their lives. I am extremely proud of the relationship RBC and Ronald McDonald House Charities UK has developed, and look forward to seeing the partnership thrive in years to come.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

“It’s so important to celebrate the wonderful work of our city’s volunteers and community groups. Volunteering presents opportunities for all Londoners to have their voices heard and make a real difference to our communities at a time when we’ve seen key support services cut back. To all the nominees and winners, and to the countless other volunteers who generously dedicate themselves to helping fellow Londoners: thank you.”