Birmingham Midshires, the specialist lending arm of HBOS plc, has formally been working with Shelter since 2004.

Its dynamic mix of employee involvement and innovative cause related marketing activity has raised in excess of £600,000 for Shelter's vital work.

Cause-related marketing

Through its programme of responsible lending, Birmingham Midshires provides mortgages to 'self certification' customers, buy-to-let customers, and to people who may find it hard to get access to mortgage products at competitive rates elsewhere. Shelter receives a donation per each of these mortgages completed, which we use to fund our projects and services.

Employee involvement

Another important aspect to our work with Birmingham Midshires is the annual five-a-side football match they host in aid of Shelter each summer. Teams from across the mortgage sector are sponsored to compete against each other in a fun and friendly tournament that not only raises a substantial amount of money, but traditionally receives a great deal of coverage from the mortgage press.

We look forward to developing more activities together in the future, which will make a difference to the lives of those who suffer in bad housing.