National Charity awards local Heat Hero in Cornwall

On Wednesday 8 February I was privileged to be present at the ‘Heat Heroes’ award ceremony in the House of Commons to support a constituent, Alec Rice  in becoming a nationally recognised Heat Hero.

I have worked with Alec for a number of years and have seen first hand his dedication to the people of Cornwall and getting as many people out of fuel poverty as possible. I am delighted that his first class contribution is being recognised nationally with this prestigious award.

The work of Community Energy Plus’s Alec Rice to alleviate fuel poverty in Cornwall has been recognised by NEA, the national fuel poverty charity, which have named Alec as one of their ‘Heat Heroes’.

The award scheme was launched by NEA and ScottishPower to celebrate the national charity’s 30^th Anniversary and to coincide with the launch of NEA’s Fuel Poverty Awareness day which is taking place today. The awards have recognised 12 individuals who have gone ‘above and beyond’ what would be expected in the course of their work to help those people who are suffering from the effects of fuel poverty and struggling to heat their homes.

Alec Rice has worked at Community Energy Plus for almost 10 years and has been instrumental in shaping and delivering the fuel poverty services delivered by the Cornish charity.

Following a recent grant of £430,000 by the Big Lottery Fund, Alec is currently leading a four year project to improve the quality of life for vulnerable people living in fuel poverty in Cornwall.  Community Energy Plus’s ‘Warm Me Up!’ Project will deliver impartial advice and support to up to 1200 targeted households to help them to reduce and manage their energy bills. 

Alec said “I am delighted to be chosen as a Heat Hero by NEA and ScottishPower, it is worth all of the hard work when you know that you have helped people in the local community to stay warm in their homes.  Community Energy Plus’s fuel poverty projects have demonstrated the health and wellbeing benefits of providing advice and support to help vulnerable individuals keep warm and well and our recent funding from the Big Lottery Fund will provide an important boost to the services we provide.”

Neil Clitheroe, CEO, ScottishPower Retail & Generation, said “ScottishPower was delighted to support the Heat Heroes campaign to recognise the work that goes on day to day within communities across the UK. The significant contribution made by individuals like Alec is vital to ensure help gets to those people most in need.”

For more information on Community Energy Plus please see:

http://www.cep.org.uk/