FAMILIES in Blaenau Gwent struggling to afford food this summer are being supported by cash grants from Western Power Distribution (WPD).

The electricity network operator has awarded grants totalling more than £25,000 from its Community Matters Fund to charities, local councils and community groups across South Wales to help families struggling to put food on the table.

There is always higher demand at food banks during school holidays, often from families that rely on term-time free school meals, and research in 2019 highlighted there were three million children at risk of ‘holiday hunger’.

Among the beneficiaries is Llanhilleth Miners Institute, a vibrant community hub, which has been awarded £2,500 to deliver its Munch Bunch Food Club - designed to provide free breakfasts to youngsters in the area every weekday during the summer holiday - alongside healthy cookery sessions for children to access with their parents.

Hayley Davies, the institute's community engagement manager, said: “The team is delighted to have received funding from Western Power Distribution.

“The money [is being] used to fund our Munch Bunch children's food activities during the six-week summer break.

“We will provide a healthy breakfast for local children, while running exciting, healthy cookery sessions for families to learn new skills and master affordable, tasty recipes which they can make again at home.

“As a result, the funding from Western Power Distribution will have an impact on local children way beyond the end of the summer, and we wouldn't be able to deliver this provision without their generosity.”

WPD’s resources and external affairs director, Alison Sleightholm, said: “Holiday hunger is a very real and pressing issue in communities up and down the country, and at WPD we have an obligation to support families facing this problem in the communities we serve.

“We’re pleased to be able to support community groups, charities and local authorities in South Wales that are working hard to improve the quality of life for families over the holiday period and beyond, and we look forward to seeing their projects deliver vital benefits.”

WPD is the UK’s largest electricity distributor, responsible for delivering power to homes, businesses and vital services through its lines and cables in the South West, South Wales and the Midlands.

Its Community Matters Fund is paid for by the company’s shareholders and distributes £1million a year.

For more information, visit westernpower.co.uk/community-matters-fund. Follow the fund on social media via #WPDCommunityFund