A little HELP can go a long way. FNB’s showcases its ‘Stories of HELP’

Last year FNB made a call to South Africans to send in their ‘You Can Help’ stories to the FNB blog. These stories illustrate how ordinary South Africans have helped make a difference in the communities in which they live in.

To pay tribute to these special stories of HELP, FNB has created a series of 30s, 3 and 4 minute clips which will hit TV screens over the next 5 months, with the first 6 airing in February 2014.

“Simple gestures of HELP are never forgotten,” says Bernice Samuels, FNB Chief Marketing Officer. Over 170 stories of HELP have been published on the FNB Blog: https://blog.fnb.co.za/. From skills transfer to addressing the challenges of unemployment, drug addiction and crime – these stories showcase that the gesture of HELP can have a profound and lasting effect on any person, community and society.

“The intent of the clips is to ‘honour’ all those South Africans who everyday, in their own unique and very often small way, are making a very real difference to those around them. It is an embodiment of FNB’s belief that where there is HELP there is a way; and that HELP can lead the way in creating a better future for everyone in our country,” says Samuels.

This first of the 6 part advert series covers:

• Sharing Your Talents Can Help – Renowned pastry chef, Kelvin Joel and co-owner of the Johannesburg Culinary and Pastry School, started a Chefs Project last year to give troubled youth an opportunity to change their lives through cooking.
• A Step In The Right Direction Can Help – In 2009, a group of incredible women started the ‘SpreadLuv Movement’ which hosts career guidance days at schools around Gauteng and aims to help the youth of South Africa make informed decisions about their future.
• Getting The Ball Rolling Can Help – Makgalema Thobela realized that he was far from old to help the children in his community. He bought soccer balls, a kit and anything else needed from his own funds and put an under 15 team together called ‘Young Lions FC’.
• Simple makeover can HELP – Non-profit organisation’ Look Good???Feel Better’, aims to help women who face the trauma and stress of cancer by equipping them with tools that will help them face the world with pride and confidence.
• The Dress Of Your Dreams Can Help – n 2006, Erica Pienaar and late Helga Leurs formed the ‘Princess Project’ – a project aimed at providing underprivileged girls with dresses for there matric farewell parties.
• Building A Better Community Can Help – ‘Hands of Honour’ was formed by former policemen Paul Talliard who lost everything due to his drug addiction. The NGO serves as a sanctuary that provides a warm daily mean and emotional support to those in need.

These individuals and organisations have taken the time to make a valued difference in their communities and have contributed to making South Africa, a better place for all. “The most basic and emotional aspects of love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness and compassion are witnessed in these stories of HELP and as a brand we align ourselves with these great values of humanity. FNB’s vision ‘to be a great business, helping to create a better world’ is everything that we stand for and we are humbled to stand alongside those who, through HELP uplift and inspire those around,” concludes Samuels.

To read and view the ‘You Can Help” stories please visit the FNB Blog on https://blog.fnb.co.za/.

All the clips can be seen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf7ZnygNGrpLb5zPivAZc6hQOlB9DH7iy and is currently airing on:

• SABC 1 on Thursday at 19h27
• SABC 3 on Monday at 18h27
• eTV on Thursday at 18h27