Stratford bank workers sing for charity boost

Newham bankers won runners up in a London-wide talent contest by singing their way to victory and raised �12,000 for a popular cancer charity while they were at it.

Singers from the Stratford branch of Barclays bank formed the Swagga Sisters which was made up of cashier Hayley Taylor, assistant manager Jas Cheema and personal banker Amina Algullah and they came second in the Barclays Got Talent contest to raise money for Macmillian Cancer Support.

Hayley said: “I am really surprised, I did not think I had the talent and I’m so glad everyone liked it. It is a great achievement for us as a group from Stratford.

“I’m scared but it is for a good cause so even if I embarrass myself I don’t care.”

Donations during the show raised �12,374 to fund a new a GP facilitator in Wandsworth and grants for people affected by cancer in Greater London.

The previous year’s winner was another talent from Newham, vocalist Rachel Hare who is an assistant manager at the East Ham Barclays branch.

Rachel returned to fight for her crown, opening the show with Cee Lo Green’s “Forget You” but she did not place in the top three this year.

Macmillan Cancer Support representative Carla Morini said: “Barclays Got Talent is an awesome event and so much fun, everyone really gets involved.”