Local War Memory Charity opens FAIRshare’s first Community Account

Local charity Lawley Bank & Friends Wartime Memory Group is the first Community Member of FAIRshare Credit Union.

Pictured receiving the commemorative Certificate of Membership are from left, Ivor Jones, Vice Chair or The Lawley Bank & Friends Wartime Memory Group, David Wright MP, President of The Lawley Bank & Friends Wartime Memory Group, Ron Munt, Chairman of The Lawley Bank & Friends Wartime Memory Group and John Harrower, General Manager of FAIRshare Credit Union.

The Lawley Bank & Friends Wartime Memory Group was set up to highlight the Second World War crash when a young American pilot guided his P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft away from Lawley School and Avondale whilst on fire. The plane crashed on the Bull Ring at Lawley Bank on 20th June 1944, killing the pilot. The Lawley Bank & Friends Wartime Memory Group has instrumental in erecting a memorial plaque which was unveiled by their President, David Wright MP in November 2012.

The Group meets monthly at the Wrekin View, Lawley Bank, and intend to raise money for Blind Service Veterans. They chose a FAIRshare Community Account for their funds. Chairman Ron Munt said “we wanted a safe home for our fundraising, and FAIRshare was recommended to us”. The Group’s President David Wright MP, who has been a member of FAIRshare for many years, said “I’m a staunch supporter of the Credit Union movement & really pleased that the Lawley Bank & Friends Wartime Memory Group is the first community member of FAIRshare.”

FAIRshare Credit Union is a friendly, not-for-profit ‘community bank’ for anyone who lives, works or studies in Shropshire, offering a secure home for savings and the option to access affordable low cost loans.

John Harrower, General Manager of Fairshare Credit Union said “Following a change in governing legislation allowing Credit Unions to accept corporate membership, we are pleased to be extending our services to organisations in the community. It is very fitting that with this year being the 70th Anniversary of D-Day and the crash, our first Community Account is The Lawley Bank & Friends Wartime Memory Group.”

FAIRshare offers business & community membership to Shropshire based clubs, societies, associations, businesses & charities, offering a local, safe, ethical home for funds. Businesses and community groups can apply for business loans up to the value of £15,000, to be repaid over a maximum of 5 years.

Like any bank or building society, FAIRshare is authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority & the Prudential Regulation Authority. Members’ savings are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, currently to the value of £85,000.

FAIRshare is Shropshire’s largest Credit Union with main branches at Telford & Shrewsbury, and weekly FAIRshare Service Points in Bridgnorth, Cleobury Mortimer, Craven Arms, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Shifnal, Wem & Whitchurch.