In early December HSBC and Deutsche Bank simultaneously engaged in a charity event to raise funds for London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital’s development fund. In order to entice its workers to stump up some cash, the two banks had a number of celebrities tour their trading floors.
HSBC had TV presenter Cat Deeley – host of celebrity karaoke-fest Stars in Their Eyes – visit its base in Canary Wharf, while Deutsche had Caprice Bourret – better known simply as the supermodel Caprice. The two institutions matched the donations of their employees and managed to exceed the initial hopes for a total of £150,000 by £18,000
Deeley, who is patron of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, said: “This is a fantastic way for investment banks to use their skills to raise money for the hospital. I can’t think of a better present to give anyone. For many of the little patients the hospital offers the best and, sometimes, the last hope.”
The week-long activities culminated in the placing of a block gift, mimicking the placing of a block of stock, at the end of the day’s trading on December 8. Euromoney hopes all involved raised a glass to their efforts once trading ended, and that Ms Deeley was on hand to pour it.