National Grid helps Llanelli charities and community groups tackle fuel poverty
A number of local causes in the area will benefit from funding this winter
Vulnerable customers in Llanelli will benefit from fuel poverty grants this winter, awarded to local charities and community groups by National Grid’s Community Matters Fund.
The fund is part of National Grid’s distribution business plan pledge to support vulnerable customers.
The latest round of funding will see a record £2.5 million shared among grassroots organisations committed to tackling fuel poverty, including Reconnecting Carms CIC, which has been awarded £10,000 to provide much-needed warm packs to the local community.
Charlotte Jukes from ReConnecting Carms said: “Getting this funding will enable us to help the most vulnerable in our communities to be warmer this winter, and balances well with the fundraising we did to provide hot water bottles and covers for people.
"The benefit of staying warm for the elderly and disabled people in our communities is clear, less anxiety and depression, less fear of illnesses getting worse, less pressure on the NHS and the knowledge that people care. This money will do a great deal of good.”
Another local group to benefit is CETMA which will receive £7,460 to set up a warm hub in the local community foodbank.
Jonathan Williams, Managing Director at CETMA, said: “We’re really pleased to receive the grant from the Community Matters Fund.
"It will make a massive difference to how we can support the families within our community.
"This winter will see high levels of poverty where families will sadly be making the choice of whether to heat their homes or eat.
"This funding will enable us to support those families so that they don’t have to make that choice.”
A third Llanelli charity to benefit is the Carmarthenshire 50+ Forum, which has been awarded £10,000 to create and distribute warm packs to the community.
Daniel Breen, treasurer at the Carmarthenshire 50+ Forum, said: “We would like to extend our thanks to National Grid and Local Giving for administering and offering us a grant of £10,000.
"This money will enable us to provide items to vulnerable people in our community to help them manage through the cost of loving and energy price crisis.
"By providing this help we hope to have an impact on both the physical and mental health of the recipients.”
Other charities benefitting from grants include PeopleSpeakUp, Foothold Cymru and Pontyates Welfare Association.
The latest round of Community Matters funding was launched by National Grid’s electricity distribution business as an urgent response to the national cost of living crisis, which is putting millions of households at risk of fuel poverty.
Alison Sleightholm, Regulation and Corporate Director at National Grid, said: “Tackling fuel poverty is an immediate and pressing priority for us.
"This year, we’re giving away a record amount to support our most vulnerable.
"We’re pleased to see the first community organisations, charities and local authorities being awarded their grants.
"Our multi-million-pound fund is supporting a wide range of worthwhile and ambitious projects which will benefit communities this winter and help families keep homes warm.”
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