Ulster Bank Athlone to host Customer Information Day for homebuyers and homeowners in aid of South Westmeath Hospice

Ulster Bank’s Athlone branch will provide real ‘Help for What Matters’ for customers as it opens its doors later this month for a special homebuyers and homeowners fundraiser in aid of South Westmeath Hospice. Established in 1994, South Westmeath Hospice provides community-based care for patients in Athlone, Moate, Glasson, Castledaly, Tang, Ballymore, Ballinahown and Mount Temple, in addition to its palliative care unit in Athlone.

Ulster Bank staff are hosting a home expert information event on Saturday, January 25, where interested homeowners and homebuyers/renovators can speak to local professionals, including building contractors, engineers, architects and interior designers, as well as find out how to get a mortgage from Ulster Bank in exchange for a discretionary donation to the charity. 
The 15-20 minute slots will take place throughout the day from 10am-3pm and should be booked in advance by emailing Deirdre.odowd@ulsterbank.com. In return for the consultations, people are asked to bring a donation on the day for South Westmeath Hospice. Commenting, Branch Manager Ulster bank Athlone, Deirdre O’Dowd, said: “Ulster Bank is delighted to support South Westmeath Hospice, while also providing an interesting and informative experience for our customers and the wider community. Whether you’re looking to build or buy your first home, or renovate and refresh your existing property, you’ll be able to share your thoughts and plans with our professionals– all we ask in return is that you donate however much you can to an important local cause. 
“I want to thank Susan McGowan from Ashen and cloud, Gabriel Seery from GSeery Construction and Padraig Connell Consulting Engineer for giving up their Saturday to raise money for charity.” Commenting Joe Whelan, South Westmeath Hospice Foundation Ltd said: “The palliative care team aims to provide an open, honest and friendly atmosphere in which to offer physical, emotional, spiritual and social care.  Our objective is to promote a feeling of ease for cancer and non-malignant patients and their families. We ensure that our service is up-to-date, research- based and provided by skilled staff. We are very grateful for the continued financial support received from Ulster Bank and across the wider community.”   
Among those being encouraged to book a slot on 25 January are people who:
Are looking to support South Westmeath Hospice 
Are thinking about going for planning permission in the near future and want to get ideas about how to start, what kind of house they want, the style, the likely cost of total build 
Already have planning permission for a new home build but want to get an idea of costings or how to decorate 
Are thinking of doing an extension and would like a first draft of a drawing, get an idea of costing and how to design the interior 
Are thinking of freshening up their home and looking to bring more colour and life to their home 
Are thinking of giving their home a major makeover 
This home expert information event forms part of Ulster Bank’s ongoing ‘Do Good, Feel Good’ initiative, which encourages colleagues to come together and raise money for a registered charity or charities of their choice. 
In June 2019, Ulster Bank raised over €100,000 for charities around the country through a range of bank-organised challenge events, from walks and runs to bake sales and bucket collections. Ulster Bank Athlone  selected Pieta House and organised a week of fundraising, which involved activities which included a table quiz and cake sale.
In addition, to help support local communities, the bank offers all colleagues up to three day's leave each year to volunteer with a local voluntary organisation, community group or charity.
The home expert information event will take place in Ulster Bank Athlone on Saturday, January 25 from 10am to 3pm. Anyone can attend by booking their 15- 20 minute slot (or slots) in advance by emailing Deirdre.odowd@ulsterbank.com . Don’t forget to bring a donation along on the day, in aid of South Westmeath Hospice.