A Bushbury-based charity that provided food to local schools and food banks during the coronavirus pandemic has been awarded a £1,500 grant to help continue its services.
Bushbury United Charities received the funding after local MP Jane Stevenson nominated it for a cash award from Western Power Distribution’s (WPD’s) In This Together – Community Matters Fund.
The fund was established by the local electricity distributor at the start of lockdown to support grassroots organisations in delivering care to vulnerable people and families. It initially supported over 300 organisations with £500,000 funding. As the lockdown lifted, WPD extended its support by a further £250,000 and offered MPs the opportunity to put forward a community group or charity for a grant to help towards its work during these challenging times.
Jane, who is MP for Wolverhampton North East, said: “The volunteers and trustees at Bushbury United Charities have worked tirelessly throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and so I decided to nominate them for an award from Western Power’s Community Matters Fund.
“The charity is a great local organisation that has helped the local community for decades. I am thrilled that they have been awarded £1,500, which will go a long way towards helping elderly and vulnerable residents who are struggling in these difficult times.”
Reverend Dr Ian Poole, chair of the charity and Rector at St Mary’s Church in Bushbury, said: “This award of £1,500 for Bushbury United Charities will make a huge difference, and we are incredibly grateful to Western Power for awarding it. We would also like to thank our local MP Jane Stevenson for nominating us.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have sought to help the local community by supporting measures that have assisted in providing food to those who might otherwise have gone without. In particular, we have helped local schools and The Well food bank, and we intend to use the grant to help us continue that support going forward.”
Alison Sleightholm, WPD’s Resources and External Affairs Director, said: “Throughout this crisis we have worked tirelessly to support our local communities and keep the energy flowing to our 7.9 million customers. The crisis is far from over and as we enter the next phase of the UK’s response to the pandemic, we’re delighted that 92 MPs in our regions have nominated deserving causes for up to £1,500 of funding.
“We’re proud that, so far, we have been able to fund over 450 charities and groups within our area. Through the extension of our fund and with the fantastic support of our MPs, we’re able to support even more organisations doing valuable community work.”
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