CCM team raises $10 000 to help find a cure

Bridgetown, December 11, 2019 – As the various teams at CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank wind down from their fund-raising for 2019, one team in particular can take a much deserved break after going all out in their fund-raising efforts ending with an enviable total of $10 000 which they recently presented to the overall effort.

“It was a major contribution from one unit and a tremendous effort on their part and we are extremely grateful for the part they played,” stated Walk Manager, Krystle Maynard, after the handing over of the cheque which was included in the overall total handed over to the Breast Screening Programme from the bank recently.

The special fund-raising effort came about after the Director of the Client Credit Management (CCM) Bonnie Estwick challenged the team to be more charitable and to increase their fund-raising efforts this year to support the Walk for the Cure (WFTC) initiative. Though they had raised funds before, they took on a different approach, with the goal of making a significant impact on the fight against cancer.

Several of the team members had already had the misfortune of having family members directly impacted by the disease and this therefore fuelled their drive and determination. Many had already lost friends and loved ones and were even more eager to make a meaningful contribution to assist those still in the fight. One committee member, who lost a sister, explained that due to the loss of her medical insurance, she directly saw the benefits of initiatives such as these to help aid in the support of those fighting and in need.

Although the event is a serious one, the team wanted to bring a fresh, fun and exciting approach to the activities to help spread awareness. This was especially evident when they launched their “Sock out Cancer” initiative.

On that day, CIBC FirstCaribbean staff were encouraged to wear pink or branded cancer awareness socks in order to generate further buzz and discussion surrounding the disease. This was very evident at the Broad Street location where persons, who came into the branch or saw them on the streets of Bridgetown, were fascinated and inquired
as to how they could join the activity.

Senior Manager of CCM Carolann Beckles-Paul stated, “It was a full team effort. We had a core committee, but everyone pitched in at various times including our management team. Many contributed their time, donations and financial support to ensure that we had items to offer for sale. Some people baked cupcakes while others handled the packaging and delivery and still others attended the ‘Pop-Up Shop.’ Some of the others remained and covered the department to ensure that our Service Excellence standards were maintained.”

“Cupcake mania was exactly that – our Director, Bonnie baked just over 2000 regular and mini cupcakes in total for the three bake sales we had, and we always sold out,” she added.

Members of the team commented that they found people, including visitors to the island, to be very supportive of the work they were doing and though some did not eat cupcakes, they wanted to support the fight for various reasons, some having lost loved ones.

There were a number of touching personal stories shared with the members of the team who went on the road in the fund-raising drive that included three cupcake sales, pop up shops, two flea markets, Sock Out Cancer and the sale of pink cancer awareness branded items.

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