On 8 January 2010, Daniela Bossi, Commercial Director Retail Banking of BGL BNP Paribas, and Christian Schmitz, manager of the BGL BNP Paribas branch in Diekirch, presented a EUR 1,500 cheque to the Archipel association represented by its coordinator Emmanuel Henninger, in support of the Ile aux clowns project.
The donation follows a charity initiative taken by the BGL BNP Paribas branch during the Nuetsshopping in Diekirch on 10 December 2009, when staff members raised funds by selling books they had collected earlier.
Archipel's Ile aux clowns project, initiated in 2005, offers hospitalized children and elderly people in retirement homes both entertainment and a chance to relax and smile with visiting clowns. Their presence brings a touch of magic that contrasts with the seriousness of the hospital environment. Seven clowns participate, putting their talent and professional know-how to work for children, teenagers and the elderly, and making everyone's life a little brighter.
The staff members of the BGL BNP Paribas branch in Diekirch who collected the funds were on hand for the presentation of the cheque. They serve clients from 9 am to noon and from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm every day, Monday to Friday.
About BGL BNP Paribas
BGL BNP Paribas (www.bgl.lu) is one of the largest banks in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, with a balance sheet totalling EUR 52.8 billion at 30 June 2009. Now a leader on its domestic market, it offers an especially wide range of financial products to individuals, professionals, private banking clients and businesses. BGL BNP Paribas is Luxembourg's number-one provider of banking services to professionals and small- and medium-size companies, and number two in services for individuals. It is also the leader for bancassurance.
About BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas (www.bnpparibas.com) is one of the 6 strongest banks in the world according to Standard & Poor's*. With a presence in 85 countries and more than 205,000 employees, 165,200 of which in Europe, BNP Paribas is a global-scale European leader in financial services. It holds key positions in its three activities: Retail Banking, Investment Solutions and Corporate & Investment Banking. The Group benefits from its four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. BNP Paribas also has a significant presence in the United States and strong positions in Asia and the emerging markets.
* Within its peer group
For more information on the Ile aux clowns project: www.ileauxclowns.lu