WHEN you think about all the jobs that a bank does, arranging and supporting an event to raise money for local charities probably isn’t the first to spring to mind.

I make no apology for using this column to promote two amazing charities that the Bolton and Wigan RBS team — along with customers and professionals — have just raised over £7,000 for.

There are lots of different ways of doing business and of networking, so it was really heart-warming to see so many of our customers and colleagues from the professional community join forces on Friday afternoon to take part in a five-aside football tournament in aid of Once Upon A Smile and Joining Jack.

Their websites are onceuponasmile.org.uk and www.joiningjack.org/.

Once Upon a Smile does amazing work with bereaved families, especially children. They will arrange respite breaks tailored specifically to a family’s needs, help with financial issues such as mortgage arrears or outstanding utility bills and are also setting up a children’s bereavement service.

Joining Jack is probably better known locally.

Former Wigan and Salford rugby league player Andy Johnson’s four-year-old son Jack suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a muscle wasting disease with no cure. All funds raised go to research into finding a cure for this genetic illness.

I know all banks do a massive amount of good work for charities, we just don’t often get to hear of them. So myself and all the team at Bolton and Wigan would like to a say a massive thank you to everyone who joined us on Friday and to all those dedicated staff members across the country that raise so much money for such worthy causes.

With all the networking events across the region it would be great to see more being done with a charity in mind — raising money and having fun at the same time. Perfect.