Support for homelessness charity from EDF Energy
A Glasgow charity has been able to create survival kits for vulnerable homeless people after a donation by EDF Energy.
The energy company has donated £8000 to the Simon Community Scotland from its Scottish Charity Fund.
Around 50 kits have been created for those sleeping rough which include sleeping bags, fleeces, thermal underwear, hats, gloves and scarves and will help to keep people who are sleeping on the streets warmer during the winter.
The creation of the kits was a supported by the funds from EDF Energy and by one of its suppliers which provided the clothing at cost.
Finance Shared Services Director, Robert Gilhooly, who is based at EDF Energy’s East Kilbride office said: “Temperatures overnight this winter have been as low -8c and in those conditions people sleeping on the streets really struggle. There are some who, for a variety of reasons, won’t use night shelters but through this effort some of the most vulnerable people will have extra protection against the elements.”
The Simon Community has also used some of the donation to provide highly rated energy efficient white goods when people they are supporting move into their move into their own homes. These appliances use less electricity which will help keep energy costs down.
As well as the financial support, work is underway to help some of the people using the service with energy advice so that they have the knowledge and confidence to manage their bills themselves.
Fifteen people have been given white goods or energy advice over the past six months.
Simon Community Scotland Chief Executive, Lorraine McGrath, said: "Some of the people we are working with are moving into their first home. It can be a move that comes at the end of a journey of many years of homelessness. This is a really positive thing but can also be a time of pressure. Being in a position to offer the best possible appliances and energy advice helps to take some of that pressure off. The value it delivers goes well beyond the value in pounds that it saves that individual.”
Over the past year EDF Energy has donated more than £100,000 to Scottish charities. Most of that money has benefitted groups near to our bases at East Kilbride, Hunterston and Torness.
For more information contact:
Fiona McCallExternal Communications Manager (Scotland)
01355 846281
07813 232347
Fiona.McCall@edf-energy.com
EDF Energy in Scotland
In Scotland EDF Energy operates Hunterston B in North Ayrshire and Torness in East Lothian which employ over 1,000 staff and around 500 contracting partners across the two power stations. EDF Energy employs a further 200 office based staff in East Kilbride. As well as generating enough power to serve some 4 million homes the company also provides gas and electricity to over 80,000 Scottish customers with around half of those opting for one of the company’s Blue+ products which are backed by low-carbon generation. We operate two windfarms in the Scottish Borders and make sure we buy enough electricity generated from a low-carbon nuclear source to match every unit of electricity we estimate our Blue customers use. EDF Energy is proud to power up some of the largest organisations in the UK, including supplying almost all public sector bodies in Scotland with after being awarded Scotland’s largest electricity supply contract by annual volume from April 2013. Following a landmark agreement with Network Rail the company also provides nuclear-backed Blue energy to power up the UKs electric rail network, covering most of the south east of England and the main lines from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as the Merseyrail network around Liverpool and the Glasgow suburban network.