IPSWICH Building Society has launched a new investment account to benefit three local charities. The We Care affinity account, for savers looking to invest between £100 and £50,000 will benefit St Elizabeth Hospice, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and East Anglian Air Ambulance.

IPSWICH Building Society has launched a new investment account to benefit three local charities.

The We Care affinity account, for savers looking to invest between £100 and £50,000 will benefit St Elizabeth Hospice, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and East Anglian Air Ambulance.

The society has also agreed to donate an annual 1% bonus calculated against the account's average balance direct to the customer's chosen charity.

Chief executive Paul Winter said they felt there was “a good mix” of causes that they hoped would appeal to everyone.

“At Ipswich Building Society we are keen to nurture links within the local community. We believe affinity accounts such as We Care provide an effective way to contribute to charities which in turn will benefit the local community,” he said.

Simon Gray, executive director of the East Anglian Air Ambulance welcomed the launch, pointing out that the charity needed to raise £3million a year to keep the air ambulances flying.

“Income coming to us through this new We Care affinity account will make a vital contribution to the operating costs of the aircraft and will also help us to ensure that the very latest medical equipment is available for use by our highly trained clinical crews,” he said.

Janine Erangey, corporate fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Every penny we receive really will make a difference to the lives of our patients and their families, friends and carers throughout East Suffolk. For example, £5 could pay for a specially prepared meal for one, £30 could pay for a counselling session with the family support team and £64 could pay for one music therapy session.”

Michael Strand of Suffolk Wildlife Trust said: “Choosing a We Care account will help Suffolk Wildlife Trust restore, recreate and reconnect habitats across Suffolk to create a living landscape where wildlife flourishes in our countryside and villages, where children grow up inspired by the sights and sounds of nature, where people live happier, healthier lives.”