Andy’s helping hand

WHEN TSB recruitment manager Andy Rodger heard that a colleague had died suddenly at the age of 39, he understood what the man’s family was going through.

Andy had lost his wife, Karie, a year earlier to cancer, aged 53, so he knew the heartbreak the young family left behind were facing and strived to do something to help.

He galvanised his team at TSB and together they decided to do all they could to help the family.

“It was an unexpected death as he was supremely fit and seemingly healthy,” says Andy. “But he had a sudden aneurysm and was gone, leaving behind a wife, a baby son of 16 months and a four-year-old daughter. It was an appalling situation to be in. I thought, what can I do?”

Andy, based at TSB head office in Edinburgh, reached out to provide emotional support. And after the family launched a GoFundMe appeal, he rallied his team to help raise funds. He ran the Edinburgh half marathon while his Partners took part in a relay.

The tragedy also spurred Andy, 60, to help his community further and see what else he can do to help others. He helps raise funds for TSB Local Charity Partner River Kids, which hands out toys, clothes and equipment to children and families most in need across West Lothian.

Andy regularly volunteers his time at the charity and recently jumped out of a plane in a tandem parachute jump, which raised more than £2,000 for the charity.

Now his efforts are being recognised – he was nominated for a Pride of TSB Award for being a community superhero.