Colleagues from gas emergency and pipeline service Wales & West Utilities have handed over a donation of more than £3,000 to the Salvation Army Bristol Citadel after colleagues rallied to raise money through Christmas events, which was then boosted and supported by their employer.
A group of the company’s colleagues came together to play their brass instruments in a carol concert in Wales & West Utilities headquarters in Newport last month. The event raised £900, but with the company’s commitment to support the charitable efforts of its colleagues, the company match-funded the efforts of eight colleagues to the tune of £300 each, boosting the donation to the Salvation Army to £3,300.
The money will go to help the hundreds of people locally who turn to the Salvation Army branch for support and help, whatever the circumstances. The donation is expected to support the charity in them helping rough sleepers, supporting families in need, whilst also running ’Warm Spaces’ which are open to anyone who needs a hot meal.
Elaina Cook, Social Obligations Manager at Wales & West Utilities, helped organise the event and said:
We have supported the efforts of the Salvation Army for many years and this year we decided to combine the talents of our colleagues with a fun event to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.
“The carol service was fantastic, and we are thrilled that so many of our colleagues donated to help us raise such a fantastic amount. With Wales & West Utilities able to support the worthy efforts of all colleagues, we were over the moon that the money was boosted with such a significant match-funding amount. We know how much a difference this will make to the work of the Bristol Citadel.
Salvation Army volunteer and Wales & West Utilities Director of Regulation, Asset Strategy & HS&E, Sarah Williams with Major Peter Beeldman, Corps Officer at the Salvation Army, Bristol
Sarah Williams, Wales & West Utilities Director of Regulation, Asset Strategy & HS&E, has long been involved with the Salvation Army and explains how this donation will go to help:
Our partnership with the Salvation Army goes deeper than providing charitable donations. It aligns with the work we do to support our many partners through the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA), to help people across Wales and the south west of England to stay safe and warm.
This money will be put to good use in helping the people across Bristol who need the support of the Salvation Army, no matter the circumstances.
On behalf of the Salvation Army I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Wales & West Utilities for raising such a fantastic amount which will go to make a positive difference to people locally.
Between April 2021 to March 2026, Wales & West Utilities has £20m to spend on projects which support consumers in vulnerable situations and raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide and keep people safe from the ‘silent killer’.
Funding is made from the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA), and 75% of the money will be spent on projects relevant to Wales and south west England only, while 25% will be spent on collaborative projects with the other gas networks across the whole of the UK.
If you have a project that you think Wales & West Utilities could support, either individually or collaboratively with other gas networks, then contact Wales & West Utilities at VCMA@wwutilities.co.uk.
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, brings energy to 7.5m people across the south west of England and Wales. If you smell gas, or suspect the presence of carbon monoxide, call us on 0800 111 999 straight away, and our engineers will be there to help any time of day or night.