CARING Hands in the Vale has been boosted thanks to a donation of £1,000 from the National Grid’s Community Matters Fund.
As part of its commitment to support vulnerable customers in the communities it serves, the electricity distributor asked local MPs and teams based at its local depots to nominate charities and worthy causes to receive donations over the winter period.
The £500,000 fund is part of a package of measures being rolled out by National Grid’s distribution business to support grassroots community groups in their vital work with vulnerable customers.
It follows a record £2.5million package of fuel poverty grants already awarded by the distributor to charities and community groups to help tackle fuel poverty this winter. In all, around £3million will be allocated across its regions to tackle the most pressing issues affecting communities during the colder months, including fuel poverty, loneliness and isolation and support for vulnerable people.
Caring Hands in the Vale was nominated by its local MP, Nigel Huddleston, and will use the funds to to provide much-needed support to vulnerable households.
Diane Bennett, Community Outreach Manager, said: “This generous donation will be an invaluable help with our activities over the winter period, including drop-in meals and providing a warm space for local people.
“We will also deliver a hot meal and community pantry, our Christmas Day lunch for people who cannot easily provide one themselves or who would otherwise be on their own, Christmas hampers for vulnerable individuals and families plus our food and other resource banks.”
Mr Huddleston, who also nominated another local charity, Droitwich CVS, said: “I was delighted to nominate two excellent groups in my constituency for the National Grid’s Community Matters
Fund Christmas Community Giving Campaign. I’m very pleased to hear they were successful and have been awarded funding.
“Caring Hands in the Vale and Droitwich CVS are two fantastic community assets, and I know this funding will really help them, and all the people they help, this winter.”
Alison Sleightholm, Regulation and Corporate Director at National Grid, said: “It’s vital we work with the people who know their communities best, to support vulnerable customers in the regions we serve.
“Working closely with local MPs, we have been able to identify and help a range of hard-working grassroots organisations which promise to make a real difference to communities over the holiday season.
“Our donation is part of a significant investment we’re making this winter to support our most vulnerable customers. Through our Community Matters Fund, we’re able to empower a wide range of worthwhile projects to have an impact in their local areas over the colder months and beyond.”
