The group was one of several non-profit community and sporting groups to benefit from a donation under BCU’s innovative Community Saver Account (CSA) program.

Club President, Charlie Templeton was among special guests at a luncheon at Coffs Harbour’s North Coast Regional Botanic Garden on Tuesday, (May 12).

Mr Templeton said the funds would go towards helping keep the club’s annual fees among the lowest in NSW. Club members pay just $44 while other clubs charge up to $80 for a yearly membership.

He said it was important to keep fees low to encourage more youngsters to get involved with athletics and the healthy lifestyle it promotes.

“A donation like this gets us off on the right foot for the next year,” Mr Templeton said.

BCU’s CSA program gives non-profit organisations and schools the opportunity to create a long-term replenishing pool of funds to spend on administration, equipment or other costs, eliminating the need for traditional fundraising through raffles, cake stalls and chocolate drives.

In its second year, the program will see $24,000 given to schools, clubs and charity organisations across BCU’s branch network from Port Macquarie to Bundall. As support for the program grows, so will the donations.

The CSA program allows individuals to support their club, school or charity group without spending a cent. Just nominate a recipient when you open a Community Saver Account with BCU and each year the credit union will donate the equivalent of 1% of the average annual balance of all linked accounts to the recipient organisation.

For information on how the CSA program can help your club, group of school call into any branch or phone BCU on 1300 228 228.