- Hundreds of practical gifts help the elderly
- Seasonal cheer brings happiness to the lonely
Kind hearted National Grid and Pertemps employees have brought Christmas cheer to the region’s elderly by giving hundreds of much needed gifts.
Teams at Hinckley and Leicester are ensuring people keep warm over the cold winter months. They have loaded Santa’s sleigh with duvets, hot water bottles, flasks, scarves, gloves and hats.
And they topped it up with slippers and socks. Also included in the presents were torches, mini-radios, magnifying glasses and toiletries.
National Grid has worked tirelessly with Leicestershire Cares and Age UK to provide the right gifts for the right people during its Collect 4 Christmas campaign.
More than 45% of people in Leicestershire and Rutland are aged over 50 years. And, half of the over 85s could face a lonely Christmas.
Research has shown that being alone, coupled with social isolation, can cause physical and mental damage. To add to their plight many elderly live on a low income and struggle to make ends meet.
Tanya Hutchison, National Grid organiser, said: "Winter can be a worrying time for older people. They need to keep warm and wrap-up well. We have made sure that people can have that extra comfort. Our gifts are everyday essentials, but they will make a positive difference to so many.
‘We have proudly worked with Leicestershire Cares and Age UK for many years on a number of worthy projects, but Christmas is always a special time for everyone to share.”
Katharine Lightbown of Leicestershire Cares added: “Once again, National Grid teams have shown kindness and generosity in helping people less fortunate than others. We have worked together for more than ten years and they continue to be big-hearted, caring and understanding.”
Leicestershire Cares brings local businesses and communities together, for the benefit of all, through employee volunteering.
Leicestershire-based companies who are interested in supporting future initiatives should contact Leicestershire Cares on 0116 275 6469.
Notes to editors - archive
National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world and was named Responsible Business of the Year 2014 by Business in the Community. This accolade acknowledges all of our efforts in getting involve with the things that really matter to us and to society. We own and manage the grids that connect people to the energy they need, from whatever the source. In Britain and the north-eastern states of the US we run systems that deliver gas and electricity to millions of people, businesses and communities.
In Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. In the North Eastern US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles.
National Grid in the UK:
- We own the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, operating it across Great Britain
- We own and operate the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain
- Our gas distribution business delivers gas to 10.9 million homes and businesses
- We also own a number of related businesses including LNG importation, land remediation and metering
- National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service free phone line on behalf of the industry - 0800 111 999 (all calls are recorded and may be monitored).
- Our portfolio of other businesses is mainly concerned with infrastructure provision and related services where we can exploit our core skills and assets to create value. These businesses operate in areas such as Metering, Grain LNG Import, Interconnectors and Property. National Grid Carbon Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid. It undertakes Carbon Capture Storage related activities on behalf of National Grid.
Find out more about the energy challenge and how National Grid is helping find solutions to some of the challenges we face at www.nationalgridconnecting.com
National Grid undertakes no obligation to update any of the information contained in this release, which speaks only as at the date of this release, unless required by law or regulation.