A Christchurch-based charity is featuring on Santander UK’s in-branch digital screens across the south coast.

The Isabel Baker Foundation was established in memory of Isabel Baker.

She passed away from infantile acute lymphoblastic leukaemia eight days after her first birthday in 2015, after being diagnosed at three weeks old.

The foundation supports families of children with cancer.

Up to last year it had raised more than £200,000 and helped over 500 families.

Santander UK’s free advertising initiative, called Marketplace, is part of the bank’s business support programme, Survive and Revive.

It aims to help businesses and charities that have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vicky Turner, Founder of The Isabel Baker Foundation, pictured, said: “The pandemic has significantly affected our charity as most of our fundraising comes from holding events such as our Gold Ball and the Dorset Plane Pull.

“With all events cancelled over the last 12 months we saw a significant drop in the amount of money we would usually be able to fundraise.

“However, we have had more applications for help than ever before.

“We are delighted to be chosen by the team at Santander to feature on their digital screens in branch.

“This opportunity will help us get the word out about our charity and how we make a difference.”

Charlotte Spanswick, Business Banking Manager at Poole Santander UK, pictured left, said: “We know how hard the past year has been for charities and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), so we’re delighted to be able to offer this free Marketplace advertising in our branches to help our business customers to get back on their feet.

“As the backbone of the UK economy, SMEs and charities are invaluable to the local communities they serve and we hope that with our support, we can get the economy moving again.”

With the Covid-19 vaccination programme in full swing, business confidence is now at the highest level since the summer of 2018, and up from 59 per cent in autumn 2019.

According to the latest Santander Trade Barometer published, more than three fifths (65 per cent) of UK businesses are confident about growth over the next three years.

Despite this, a separate survey by Santander earlier this year revealed small and medium-sized businesses that have suffered due to Covid-19 don’t expect to recover to pre-pandemic levels until summer 2022.

Santander UK launched its business support programme, Survive and Revive, to help businesses during the pandemic.

The programme of initiatives includes webinars, women business leaders mentoring, PR, marketing and social media toolkits and mental health support.