Renewable energy leader Drax has awarded several donations to organisations local to its pumped hydro power station at Cruachan, including the RNLI and a local food charity, helping those most in need of support over Christmas.
£1,200 has been donated to Oban’s RNLI lifeboat station, using a unique fundraising tool at the Cruachan Visitor Centre.
Visitors looking to fundraise were given small jam jars to take away, fill up with 5p’s and then return to the visitor centre.
The successful idea was complimented by an RNLI pop up shop in the centre’s Kids Zone back in November, alongside bucket donation points at the entrance.
Tom Kennedy, Senior Station Technician at the Oban lifeboat station was among staff presented with the donation and commented:
“It was a pleasure to meet members of the Drax team from Cruachan and to receive such a generous donation to help us save lives at sea.
“We are delighted that Drax has chosen to work with the RNLI, and all of us on the Oban Lifeboat crew look forward to continuing our partnership.”
Alongside the donation to the RNLI, Drax’s Community Fund has given £2,000 to Hope Kitchen, a local charity that aims to serve Oban, Lorn and the Isles, and provides food parcels to those most in need.
Catriona Petit, Service Manager at Hope Kitchen said:
“Drax’s donation will help us to make a real difference in the local community over the festive period.
“Christmas can be an especially difficult time for vulnerable people and this funding will help us to continue providing essential supplies to those who need it.”
So far this year, Drax’s Community Fund has awarded over £650,000 in donations, including £57,700 to food banks across the world.
Donations from the fund have also been given to other food and essentials organisations, youth programmes, education and employability schemes, physical and mental health charities, community spaces and organisations that strengthen the communities where Drax operates.
Sarah Cameron, Drax’s Community Manager for Scotland, said:
“Drax is proud to support local organisations which help to strengthen our communities.
“Both the Oban RNLI station and Hope Kitchen will provide an invaluable service to the community over the Christmas period, and we hope these donations can support that vital work.”
To find out more about the Drax Community Fund and how to apply for funding, go to the website
