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Moray community councils' Covid-19 response boosted by SSEN handout


By Lorna Thompson

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A POWER giant has handed out more than £20,000 to support the coronavirus response in Moray communities.

A total of 27 communities in Moray, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will benefit through Scottish and Southern Electricity Network's (SSEN) Resilient Communities Fund, which was repurposed in March and allocated in early May, to support local efforts in helping the most vulnerable during the pandemic.

Successful applicants from community councils and nominated organisations have been awarded grants to provide food and materials to vulnerable people, enable volunteers to support pandemic initiatives, provide PPE to vulnerable and front-line workers, run community befriending schemes and improve community communication.

In Moray, 17 community councils will benefit from £17,000 to continue providing a lifeline to vulnerable individuals and families by delivering shopping, prescriptions and befriending those who are isolated.

In addition, Dufftown and District Community Association has been awarded £1,550 to provide internet access to vulnerable people, and Hopeman Community Association received £1,550 to cover volunteer expenses, fresh meals, PPE and leaflets.

Alastair Kennedy, chairman of Moray Joint Community Councils, said: "Community councils across Moray who have very much stepped up to the plate at this terrible time to help others, many of whom are either shielding or are in a vulnerable position, are delighted at being successful in receiving funding of £17,000 from the SSEN fund.

"This money will be put to good use across the area to assist those members of society struggling with various issues due to the Covid-19 situation."

Michael Hilferty, head of SSEN’s North Caledonia region, said: "It’s great to see how everyone across the region has rallied together to look out for one another, particularly helping members of the community who may be vulnerable and need extra support."

Since its launch in 2015, SSEN’s Resilient Communities Fund has now provided over £2.7 million to 538 local community projects to build resilience and protect those most vulnerable. The criteria for this year’s fund was changed following consultation with SSEN stakeholder groups, who supported opening the fund early to aid the coronavirus response.

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