Kevin Brennan

Caerau Ely Sports Trust has been awarded a £1,500 grant helping them to purchase new equipment.

The group received the funding after their local MP Kevin Brennan nominated them for a cash award from Western Power Distribution’s (WPD’s) ‘In This Together – Community Matters Fund’.

The fund was established by the local electricity distributor at the start of lockdown to support grass root organisations deliver care to vulnerable people and families. It initially supported over 300 organisations with £500,000 funding. As the lockdown lifted, WPD extended its support by a further £250,000 and offered MPs the opportunity to put forward a community group or charity for a grant to help towards its work to support the community during these challenging times.

Carl Meredith, Trust Chairperson said: “During lockdown, we could not run any sessions at all and our funding stream was non-existent, the grant from WPD has enabled us to be ready to support our community as soon as we are again allowed and to put all our voluntary resource into this rather than fundraising.”

Kevin Brennan MP for Cardiff West said:"The Caerau and Ely Sports Trust is a grassroots initiative triggered by the desire of local clubs to save the disused pavillion on Trelai Park. Working with the area’s elected representatives they raised the funds to do the work to bring the pavilion back into use.  As a result hundreds of local children and grown ups are able to use these facilities to the benefit of all.  Any extra funding they receive will be of huge benefit to the community in this area which faces multiple economic and social challenges."

Alison Sleightholm, WPD’s Resources & External Affairs Director, said: “Throughout this crisis we have worked tirelessly to support our local communities and keep the energy flowing to our nearly 7.8 million customers. The crisis is far from over and as we enter the next phase of the UK’s response to the pandemic, we’re delighted that Kevin Brennan MPs has nominated deserving causes for up to £1,500 of funding.  

“We’re proud that, so far, we have been able to fund nearly X00 charities and groups within our area. Through the extension of our fund and with the fantastic support of our MPs, we’re able to support even more organisations doing valuable community work.”