Ulster Bank is launching a nationwide fundraiser for Pride Month in support of BeLonG To Youth Services, the national organisation working with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBT+) people in Ireland.

The bank has commissioned special pride-themed Henri Rainbow Pins, which will be sold in all branches, head offices as well as other locations across the country. The 3D pins, which feature the bank’s youth mascot hippo wearing a rainbow jumper, are available to buy from today, June 18, and cost €2.

Wear your support for Ireland’s LGBTI+ youth with pride with our special Henri Rainbow Pins available for just €2 in all branches from today. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to @BeLonG_To Youth Services to support the vital work that it does. Happy #Pride pic.twitter.com/HmlS7MDo06

— Ulster Bank (@UlsterBank) June 18, 2019

100% of the proceeds from the sale of the pins will be donated to BeLonG To Youth Services.

Commenting, Ulster Bank Chief Executive, Jane Howard, said:

“There are many, many reasons why LGBTI+ Pride Month exists. Every day all around the world, and here in Ireland, there are young people struggling to cope with who they are, the environment in which they live, or the situations they find themselves in. In line with our own internal culture of inclusiveness, we want to help in any way we can and that’s why we are honoured to support BeLonG To Youth Services. They do crucial work, so get involved, buy a Henri Rainbow Pin, become an ally for inclusion and help support vital services for those who may be struggling with their current reality.”

A recent report published by the International Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association ranked Ireland 17th out of 49 European countries in terms of LGBTI+ rights. While, according to the 2016 LGBTIreland Report, LGBTI+ young people experience two times the level of self-harm, three times the level of attempted suicide, and four times the level of anxiety and depression compared to their non-LGBT+ friends as a result of fear of isolation, fear of rejection and bullying.

Commenting, the CEO of BeLonG To Youth Services, Moininne Griffith, said:

“At BeLonG To Youth Services, we save lives. However, we cannot do it alone; we rely on fundraising initiatives like this Henri Rainbow Pin campaign to enable us to continue supporting the young LGBTI+ people that need us. Our mission to create a world where young people can be who they are, and love who they love, without experiencing hate and discrimination.”

Founded in 2003, BeLonG To Youth Services provides invaluable support for thousands of LGBT+ young people, which aims to make them feel equal, safe, and valued in the diversity of their identities and experiences.

The organisation has partnered with Ulster Bank on the Henri Rainbow Pin initiative, which is the main focus of the bank’s LGBT+ Pride 2019 activities.

In addition to the nationwide fundraising campaign, staff from the bank’s employee-led internal Rainbow Network and their colleagues will also have an official presence in the Galway and the Dublin Pride parades.

The Henri Rainbow Pin fundraiser builds upon Ulster Bank’s proactive Pride initiatives over the past few years. For Pride 2018, Ulster Bank highlighted the story of an ex-Ulster Bank employee and her transgender son, Christopher, and the support they received from the Rainbow Network and Ulster Bank during his transition.