First Utility and NSPCC kick off major new campaign to raise £250,000 to support and protect children at risk
London, UK (PRWEB UK) 11 May 2015 -- First Utility, the UK’s largest and fastest growing independent energy company, and the NSPCC, the leading children’s charity fighting to end child abuse, are set to raise £250,000 as part of a new two-year partnership that will help support the NSPCC’s work protecting children across the UK and preventing abuse.
During the month of May, First Utility will donate £2 a month for the next two years on behalf of every new customer that switches gas and electricity at http://www.first-utility.com. The £48 raised per customer will pay for 12 children to speak to a Childline counsellor.
As well as raising money for the NSPCC, customers can save an average of £229 per year off their energy bills. First Utility will also provide customers the option to donate part or all of their savings to support the NSPCC.
The new partnership is the first initiative the NSPCC has run in this way with a utility company and builds on First Utility’s charity fundraising with NSPCC since 2013.
Ian McCaig, CEO First Utility, said: “The NSPCC was chosen by our employees as our national charity partner in 2013 and we are proud to be extending that support over the next two years with a clear commitment to raise significant funds for a deeply important cause. We hope that by dedicating the month of May to the NSPCC we will not only raise money for the charity, but also help families financially by lowering their household energy bills.”
Claire Hoyle, Head of Partnerships at NSPCC, said: “We’re delighted to be working with First Utility on this one-of-a-kind initiative, giving people a way to support our work by simply switching energy provider. We’re hoping that households across the UK will join the fight for every childhood by switching to First Utility this May, and look forward to seeing First Utility staff getting involved and taking on challenges for children.”
First Utility will also be supporting the initiative throughout its sponsorship of the Rugby Super League Magic Weekend (30th - 31st May) by encouraging rugby fans to donate to the NSPCC.
All donations to the NSPCC during the two-year partnership will enable the children’s charity to help more children who’ve been abused to rebuild their lives, protect those at risk, and find the best ways of preventing abuse from ever happening.
Find out more about the NSPCC and First Utility partnership and how to sign up for a charity gas and electricity dual fuel tariff.
Notes to editor
- First Utility will donate £1 per month for two years to the NSPCC for each new supply (£1 for electricity and £1 for gas) that is signed up direct via the First Utility website during the month of May 2015., regardless of tariff.
- Customers who registered at first-utility.com to one of our 1, 2, or 3 year fixed term and everyday tariffs between 1st October 2014 and 31st December 2014 saved an average of £229 per year.
About First Utility
First Utility is the UK’s fastest growing and largest independent energy supplier. It supplies gas and electricity to more than 780,000 customers throughout the UK and is committed to helping them reduce their energy bills by offering cheaper energy tariffs, helping customers use less energy through the use of innovative technology and campaigning for industry change. First Utility also donates 1% of its profits each year to the First Utility Foundation, an independent charitable organisation with a goal to improve the lives of vulnerable families and individuals across the UK through charity grants.
About the NSPCC
The NSPCC is the only children's charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK and Channel Islands. Using voluntary donations, which make up more than 90 per cent of our funding, we help children who’ve been abused to rebuild their lives, we protect children at risk, and we find the best ways of preventing child abuse from ever happening. So when a child needs a helping hand, we’ll be there. When parents are finding it tough, we’ll help. When laws need to change, or governments need to do more, we won’t give up until things improve.
Our ChildLine service provides a safe, confidential place for children with no one else to turn to, whatever their worry, whenever they need help. Children can contact ChildLine 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 1111 or by visiting http://www.childline.org.uk
Our free helpline provides adults with a place they can get advice and support, share their concerns about a child or get general information about child protection. Adults can contact the helpline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0808 800 5000, by texting 88858 or visiting http://www.nspcc.org.uk
Anna Pank, First Utility, http://www.first-utility.com, +44 2075349805, [email protected]
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