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Furness Pays 5 Figure Sum to Help Save Red Squirrels

Savings in Furness Building Society's Red Squirrel Savings Account swelled to in excess of £1m during 2006 resulting in the Furness paying a cheque of £10,999 to Red Alert, representing their 1% bonus.

The survival of the red squirrel is under threat and hence why the Furness Building Society Red Squirrel Affinity Scheme was launched. Account holders benefit as they receive a higher interest rate, but still have instant access to their savings, whereas Red Alert benefit from an annual 1% bonus paid by the Society on the average total balance held in all Red Squirrel Savings Accounts.

Rob Cairns, Chief Executive of Furness Building Society, stated that 'this is a remarkable achievement seeing we have only been offering our affinity account for red squirrel conservation for just a few years now. I am pleased that we are doing our bit at the Furness to help save our native red squirrels but we would like to pay out even more next year. So by opening a red squirrel account with us, anyone can also be helping to save the red squirrel because the Furness will make a payment of 1% on all savings each and every year – the more people save then the more red squirrels with benefit!'

Lord Inglewood who is a patron of Red Alert stated
"Furness Building Society was "recruited" as a corporate sponsor at the launch of our fundraising appeal in August 2000. Before the end of that year, chief executive Rob Cairns had persuaded his board to launch a Red Squirrel Affinity Account offering high interest to investors as well as donating 1% to red squirrel conservation. By 2006, investments had grown to just over £1M and by the end of January this year to a staggering £1.57M. As a Patron of Red Alert North England, I am delighted to receive this cheque from Rob Cairns for £10999 which, as match funding, will attract further money from the Heritage Lottery Fund to help in our quest to 'Save Our Squirrels' for future generations to enjoy."

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For further information contact Rob Cairns on:
01229 824560 (switchboard)
01229 845201 (direct line)
07764 464 593 (mobile)
rob.cairns@furness-bs.co.uk