OVER the festive period, the National Grid has supported an upcycling charity to help those in need with a financial boost.

During the Christmas season, National Grid is supporting Hidden Help in Bissoe with a donation of £2,000 from its Community Matters Fund.

Hidden Help collects donations of serviceable household goods which it reuses, repairs, up-cycles, and then redistributes to those who are in urgent need.

As part of its commitment to support vulnerable customers in the communities it serves, National Grid asked local MPs and teams based at its local depots to nominate charities and worthy causes to receive donations over the winter period.

The special Christmas fund of £500,000 is part of a package of measures being rolled out by National Grid’s electricity distribution business to support grassroots community groups in their vital work with vulnerable customers. It follows a record £2.5 million 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 £3 million 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.

Hidden Help was nominated by its local MP, Scott Mann, and will use the funds to provide essential household items to people who have been rehomed.

Merisa MacInnes, a trustee of the charity, said: “Hidden Help is very grateful for the generous support of National Grid.

"This donation means that we can continue providing recycled household goods to those most vulnerable and in need in Cornwall this winter.”

Scott Mann said: “I’m very pleased that Hidden Help, a fantastic organisation that I nominated to the National Grid’s Community Matters Fund, was chosen to receive a donation.

"This is a brilliant scheme, and I am sure this donation will be greatly received.”

Alison Sleightholm, Regulation and Corporate Director at National Grid, said: “It’s vital that 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.”

The Community Matters Fund is part of National Grid’s distribution Business Plan pledge to support vulnerable customers.

This includes a commitment to support 113,000 customers to make energy savings of £60 million over five years and to extend the reach of its Priority Services Register, which provides tailored support to vulnerable customers.