The bank kicked-off the appeal with a $50,000 donation as Australians come together to help the storm-ravaged region.

“We have launched the appeal right across the country,” Beyond Bank Australia general manager of community development Peter Rutter said.

“In these circumstances, people are often touched that other ­people are thinking of them.  It is very uplifting.”

One hundred per cent of the money donated to the Hunter Natural Disaster Appeal will go to a local agency or charity to be distributed to Hunter residents.

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The bank’s foundation has stepped up and helped numerous ­communities in times of natural disaster, including Wagga Wagga when floodwater tore through the region in March 2012.

“In the case of Wagga, a lot of residents had to put their furniture, white goods, even kids’ toys on the footpath because of the floods,” he said.

“We worked with Vinnies to provide $1000 packages for people.

“It is about giving people access to cash to buy the things they need.”

The Hunter Natural Disaster Appeal was launched last week and Mr Rutter said it had already received a positive response.

The bank has staff and customers in the Hunter who have been affected by the storms.

But Mr Rutter said it was the business’s connection with the Hunter community that had led to the appeal.

“Beyond Bank is very much a part of the communities affected by these storm events and we want to assist and support our communities in these times of need,” the bank’s CEO Robert Keogh said.  “Australians have a long and proud history of helping one another when disaster strikes.

“While there is a lot of work to do rebuilding and cleaning up after the storms, I am confident we will come together as a community to support those hardest hit.”

The Beyond Bank Foundation is a registered charity and all donations of more than $2 are tax deductible.

To make a donation to the appeal, drop in to any Beyond Bank branch, call 132 585 or visit www.beyondbank.com.au.