What's a vote worth?

Nationwide Building Society to link AGM voting with donation to Macmillan Cancer Support

Nationwide Building Society plans to make a donation for votes cast in its AGM. This year the Society will contribute 20 pence per vote cast and is aiming to raise £250,000 to help its flagship charity, Macmillan Cancer Support. Nationwide has supported Macmillan Cancer Support for over 15 years and has raised more than £5 million for people living with cancer.

The money raised from this year's AGM will fund Macmillan Welfare Benefits Advisors based at Citizens Advice Bureaux in Hinckley, Lutterworth and Market Harborough. Working with Citizens Advice, also one of Nationwide's charitable partners, Macmillan seeks to offer an integrated service to help people make informed decisions about their finances.

In addition, if members register their vote by 16 July, they will automatically be entered into a free prize draw, to win one of ten prizes of £1,000 which will be credited to a Nationwide Group account of their choice.

Around 8.5 million Nationwide members qualify to vote this year and they can vote by post, at any branch, online at www.nationwide.co.uk or at the AGM itself. For the first time, the number includes customers of the Cheshire, Derbyshire and Dunfermline building societies.

Nationwide is targeting around two million members to use their vote, generating up to a maximum of £250,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Macmillan's ambition is to reach everyone affected by cancer, by the end of 2010, and to provide them with the information, care and support they need. The Society's initiative is one of a range designed to encourage as many members as possible to use their vote. Nationwide is proud of its mutual roots and therefore wants to encourage members to have their say through voting in its AGM and, in doing so, help to support people living with cancer.

Living with cancer not only affects people physically and emotionally, but also financially. Cancer is expensive in ways few people would expect, bringing added costs like fuel bills, childcare costs or even hospital car parking charges, at a time when income is usually less. Therefore, in addition to its other services, Macmillan offers specialist advice to help people overcome financial worries. Macmillan Welfare Benefits Advisors across the UK ensure cancer patients and their carers are aware of the financial benefits they are entitled to.

Commenting on the link, Graham Beale, chief executive of Nationwide Building Society, said: "I'm pleased to be able to announce that members voting in Nationwide's AGM can help make a real difference to people's lives. This year we have chosen to strengthen our relationship with Macmillan, our flagship charity, which supports people living with cancer. I very much hope that our members will use their vote and commit to helping us raise a substantial sum to improve the lives of people affected by cancer."

Charles Byrne, head of corporate partnerships and events at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "We are delighted that Nationwide has chosen to support us through their AGM voting. The money raised will help us to fund Macmillan Welfare Benefits Advisors who, in turn, will be able to help people overcome their financial concerns at a time when money worries should be the last thing on their minds. Nationwide has been a strong supporter of Macmillan for over 15 years and this gives members an excellent opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of people affected by cancer."