First Utility profits fund £100,000 charity donation

First Utility Foundation has awarded the first round of grants worth £100,000 to support 11 UK charities from the profits of the leading independent supplier.

The foundation, started last year, is funded by one percent of the annual profits of First Utility and aims to support “vulnerable families and individuals” in the UK.

First Utility Foundation said the flagship grants will support seriously ill children and their families, improve access to foodbanks, and help combat loneliness among the disabled and elderly.

First Utility Foundation’s board of trustees’ chair Dr John Roberts said: “The foundation was initially set up to give something back to the wider community as a thank you to First Utility customers.”

“As we make our first round of grants available I am delighted that we’ve been able to support some excellent, grassroots charities in their important work to help improve the lives of vulnerable people across the UK.”

From 2016 the foundation will pledge grants biannually, with the next allocation of funding due to be issued early next year.

First Utility is also set to raise £100,000 in May through a switching campaign for children’s charity the NSPCC.