E.ON has opened this year’s £100k Humber Gateway Offshore Wind Farm Community Support Fund and is inviting local sustainable projects to apply for funding.
The fund was set up in 2015 to help support community and voluntary organisations as well as registered charities in the parishes which boarder the wind farm between Easington and Preston. Last year 20 projects benefited from the first tranche of £100k funding, ranging from refurbishment of a village hall, the improvement of facilities at a local football club to increasing the number of rural internet connections in the area.
Sandra Stephens, Renewables Stakeholder Manager at E.ON, said: “Our aim is to make a real difference to people living in the surrounding parishes of our Humber Gateway Wind Farm and last year we were absolutely delighted to be able to help such a diverse and interesting range of organisations. Having seen the many improvements to local life that the scheme has already made we’d now very much like to encourage community groups and charities in need of an extra boost to apply.”
David Clark, member of the funding committee of Keyingham Village Hall, said: “We were delighted that the independent community panel set up by E.ON approved our application for funding. The money and support we received from the company enabled us to undertake a number of maintenance projects that would otherwise have not been possible – securing this important community facility for the future.
“Our village hall is a centre for numerous activities throughout the week, covering all ages and helping to avoid social isolation.” Paul Collins from the Spurn Bird Observatory Trust, said: “Thanks to E.ON’s generous donation for monitoring equipment, we were able to continue our scientific studies on the wildlife of the East Riding. Showing all visitors, especially children, the importance of our natural environment through our bird monitoring programme – hopefully a visit they will never forget.”
The Community Support Fund is part of E.ON’s Humber Gateway £2m Benefit Fund launched in February 2015 to help make a positive difference to the local community.
Applications can be obtained from the local parish council, through Mercury Group on 01482 782287 andwww.humbergatewayopportunities.com or via E.ON’s website at eonenergy.com/humber.
