BNZ closed for good promotion

BNZ bank Whanganui

A Whanganui bank is closing for good, but fret not, it's not what you may be thinking.

The BNZ is asking community groups in Whanganui to put their hands up for support as its annual Closed for Good project submissions open.

Closed for Good will see the bank close each of its stores for one day on Wednesday 23 August and thousands of BNZ staffers will head out to help community organisations all across the country.

BNZ Chief Executive Anthony Healy says staff look forward to Closed for Good and the opportunity to get out in the community and help those who need it.

"This is the eighth time we have run Closed for Good and it's always hugely exciting to see all the different project submissions come in," Mr Healy said.

"The day reflects the great Kiwi reputation for mucking in and helping out, so I would encourage everyone out there to have a think about how we can help you with a project - we are ready and willing!

"Last year we worked on more than 500 different projects around New Zealand - everything from painting fences to teaching young children basic financial skills. We used our people's specialised skills when it came to areas like budgeting, business planning and financial literacy, as well as the good, old fashioned Kiwi skills of DIY and ingenuity.

"We still have people in the business who are just as excited to get involved as when it first started. It's a very rewarding day and as all staff have a second day to use for volunteering purposes we often find Closed for Good becomes the catalyst for conversations around how we can support a community on a longer term basis."

Last year there were a range of Closed for Good initiatives in Whanganui including:

+ Establishing a vegetable garden at St Mary's School

+ Organising donations at Women's Refuge

Submissions for this year's projects close on July 7. To find out more about how Closed for Good can help and to submit a project, visit www.closedforgood.org