TWO of Manchester's largest companies have proved that they have big hearts to match their huge finances.

In a national survey both Kellogg's and the Co-operative Bank were among the most generous in the UK.

The Co-operative Bank contributed more than £2.8 million to charity in the last financial year, making it the UK's 28th-largest corporate contributor to the community.

Kellogg's made its first appearance in the list of biggest givers by contributing more than £1.3 million.

The survey, conducted for Corporate Citizen magazine, took account of all the money, goods and staff hours that companies gave to good causes, charities and community groups.

Cash donations of more than £2 million accounted for the bulk of the contributions made by the Co-operative Bank, whose city's head office is in Balloon Street.

Staff contributions

The £2.8m was 3 per cent of the bank's profits for 2000-01. In the previous financial year, it donated 2.7 per cent of its profits to good causes.

A bank spokesman said: ''It is important that we do not give just cash, but donate staff time and help with management costs. Last year, staff time accounted for £388,000 of what we gave, with £440,000 given in management costs.

''The Co-operative Bank is committed to working towards the sustainable improvement of our communities, in line with our values and principles.''

One of the biggest beneficiaries of the Co-operative Bank was the Community Foundation for Greater Manchester, which received £250,000 last year.

The foundation helps identify local causes for people and companies that want to give to charities.

Kellogg's, which has a plant at Trafford Park, also prides itself on giving to local causes that can give long-term benefit to the community.

It has had a long-standing agreement to help with the costs of the Moss Side and Hulme Partnership.

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