The 2009 CIB (Corporate and Investment Banking) Summer Intern team of BNP Paribas worked with Vital Regeneration, over the summer, to ensure a very successful launch of a key fundraising initiative designed to engage local businesses with their work.

Vital Regeneration is a key charity partner of the bank, delivering a number of programmes that are funded and supported through the London Community and Charity programme.

Over the summer, the team of 30 interns gave more than 300 hours of their time to Vital Regeneration to help them launch the Vital 500 network which aims to recruit 500 leading businesses as founding members of the fundraising scheme.

Natalia Garland, Graduate Recruitment & Development, commented:
“We had a great opportunity, with Vital Regeneration, to get the interns involved in a CSR project that would benefit from their skills and business acumen at the same time as stretching them and developing their team-working skills. The group were extremely enthusiastic and did a great job at raising Vital Regenerations’ profile externally as well as internally, where they were able to pitch to and engage with some BNP Paribas’ senior management.”

The highlight of the campaign was a summer fundraising event, to launch the Vital 500 network, which was hosted by BNP Paribas on August 18th.

More than 100 businesses were present and already numerous donations have been accepted, with many more opportunities to be explored. This result exceeded everyone’s expectations and will have a very positive impact on Vital Regeneration’s sustainability going forward.

Every pound raised from the Vital 500 appeal will help Vital Regeneration serve the local community in a number of ways, including:

• Impacting the lives of more than 10,000 people in Westminter’s most challenging communities; helping them to fulfil their aspirations
• Delivering innovative programmes that are tailored to meet the needs of the charity’s beneficiaries, such as employment and learning advice, apprenticeship brokerage and provision of creative home-work clubs
• Enhancing the financial sustainability of Vital Regeneration’s projects

In his thank you letter, David Bowler, Chairman of Vital Regeneration said how much they appreciated the hard work and dedication of the interns whose efforts and input were fantastic in making the event a reality.