ScottishPower Energy People Trust Boosted to £4 Million
ScottishPower Energy People Trusted boosted to £4 million
The ScottishPower Energy People Trust, established in January 2006 to tackle fuel poverty has been given a further £1 million boost by the company, taking total funds available to £4 million.
The announcement was made by ScottishPower’s Chief Executive Jose Luis del Valle, alongside Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, at an event hosted by Tricia Marwick MSP.
Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, said:
“It’s encouraging to see energy companies like ScottishPower recognise that there are many families and vulnerable people suffering from fuel poverty in this country and addressing the issue through a charity like the ScottishPower Energy People Trust. Offering financial assistance to organisations, and in turn individuals, is a very important step in alleviating fuel poverty.
"Events like this are important for raising awareness of the impact the funding has made to these organisations and it is great to see what they have been able to do and how many vulnerable people have been assisted."
Charities and organisations in Great Britain that help families, children and young people who need to spend more than 10% of their income on energy bills, can apply for funding from the Trust for projects that will help to take some of society's most vulnerable people out of fuel poverty.
Since its launch with an initial investment of £1 million to date (June 2007), The ScottishPower Energy People Trust, has awarded over £2.7 million to 69 projects around Great Britain, helping more than 50,000 households who are living in fuel poverty.
The Trust is administered by a board of independent trustees, who consider applications for funding. The additional million pounds means more cash is available for charities and not-for-profit organisations to assist those who need it most.
Claire Doherty, ScottishPower's External Business and Community Relations Manager, said: "Already we have assisted projects that are doing some fantastic work with children and young people, families and the elderly and this additional investment means we can now help thousands more people in the run up to winter."
ScottishPower launched the Trust after comprehensive research was carried out which showed that any funding given would have a greater impact if directed through organisations that work at grassroots level to eradicate fuel poverty.
Unlike any other Trust, the ScottishPower Energy People Trust directly funds other charities and groups such as Women's Aid and Barnardos that help vulnerable and disadvantaged young people who are leaving care and setting up home for the first time, or women and children requiring emergency housing and short-term help with bills.
Research also revealed that 15 out of 100 people in Scotland and more than 10% of the UK population is living in fuel poverty.
To find out more about the ScottishPower Energy People Trust visit our dedicated Trust website.
