WITH just over a week to go until the deadline to apply for a slice of a community fund, Wales and West Utilities is urging charities supporting people affected by the coronavirus pandemic to apply for support.

The gas pipeline and emergency service established the Safe and Warm Fund, of up to £50,000, in response to the crisis to help communities affected by the outbreak with essential funding.

Wales and West Utilities has been working hard throughout the pandemic to make sure people are kept safe and warm in their homes and has opened the fund to help others do the same.

Local groups have until July 6 to apply for support.

Wales and West Utilities Chief Executive, Graham Edwards, said: “The Safe and Warm Fund has been established to directly support organisations working in communities, targeting support at those who need it most.

“We’re encouraging organisations across the area – from food banks to energy efficiency organisations, domestic abuse charities to community transport. Put simply, we want to support those on the frontline and help the most vulnerable people in the community stay safe and warm.”

Organisations and charities can apply for funding between £500 and £5,000. Applicants are encouraged to give details about how the funding will help extend its support to those most in need.

Graham added: “One of the most optimistic elements of this pandemic has been seeing the way in which communities have pulled together to support one another and we are hoping that this money will go some way to extending that support.”

Applications will be assessed by a panel consisting of representatives from Wales & West Utilities. For more information on the fund visit www.wwutilities.co.uk/SafeandWarm.

Wales and West Utilities is also urging people who have received a letter from the NHS advising them to take additional measures to 'shield' themselves from Covid19 to consider joining the Priority Service Register (PSR). More information can be found online at www.wwutilities.co.uk/priority.

Wales and 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 0800 111 999 straight away, and engineers will be there to help any time of day or night. Before visiting, households will be asked if anyone is experiencing coronavirus symptoms or self-isolating - those who say yes will still be helped but teams will take additional precautions.