Energy giant Drax is to provide 170 care homes with free electricity through the coronavirus crisis.
The company is cancelling bills of homes - in a move worth almost a quarter of a million pounds.
All are homes supplied by Opus Energy and Haven Power – both part of Drax Group.
Chief executive Will Gardiner said: “We’re working hard to offer more support to our customers and communities during this crisis.
“Care homes are critically important – they do incredible work looking after some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and we know this pandemic is putting them under immense pressure. As a gesture of appreciation for the excellent work these businesses are doing, we’re cancelling their energy bills for a couple of months.”
Lindsey Hall Care Home in Cleethorpes, which has 71 elderly and vulnerable residents, is one of Haven Power’s customers selected to receive the free energy.
Joanne Taylor, home manager at Lindsey, a recent transformation of a former secondary school, said: “Our teams are working very hard in some really challenging circumstances at the moment. Not having to pay our energy bills for two months means we’ve one less thing to worry about and we can also redirect the money we would have spent on energy, to source more PPE, which will help to keep our carers and the people they look after, safe. We really appreciate this kind gesture from Haven Power.”
There are 27 care homes in Yorkshire & The Humber, and the move is part of a package of measures worth £636,000.
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Other initiatives include a £150,000 donation to the Money Advice Trust’s Business Debtline, a national charity helping SMEs facing financial hardship. This is in addition to reduced and deferred payment plans for business customers adversely impacted by the lockdown, and energy rates being frozen for three months for those coming to the end of their contracts and rolling onto a monthly plan.
Mr Gardiner added: “We know a lot of businesses are having a tough time, as the lockdown is having a major impact on many different sectors. This will help to ensure those businesses who may be struggling to pay their bills can access the advice and support they need.”
More than 850 lap-tops have been supplied to 45 partner schools and colleges with pre-paid internet access to cover the whole summer term to support home working too.