Cash from M&S to help pay for solar panels for Wellingborough community centre

Glamis Hall in Wellingborough has won a share of the £350,000 M&S Energy Community Energy Fund.

The scheme is designed to help groups install renewable technology or energy efficiency measures and Glamis Hall will be using its money to go towards installing rooftop solar panels.

Heather Saunders, chairman of the trustees at Glamis Hall, said: “Everyone at Glamis Hall is really excited that we have won a share of this fund towards our solar panels project.

“This project will significantly reduce our running costs and enable us to put more money towards activities to engage with and help local people.”

Heather added that she wanted to say a ‘massive thank you’ to everyone who had taken the time to vote for them and the remainder of the money needed to cover the cost of the solar panels will be met by Glamis Hall with the money it receives from Wellingborough Council’s capital grant.

Now in its second year, 78,837 votes were cast by members of the public to decide on which groups secured the cash from M&S, with the Glamis Hall solar panels project being one of 26 projects to have been awarded a grant.

Jonathan Hazeldine, head of M&S Energy, said: “This year the competition has been fierce and we’ve been overwhelmed by the participation from the public who have voted in their tens of thousands.

“They’ve also generously donated over £28,000 through the Crowdfunding tool on our website which has been brilliant – for local community groups every small donation can make a massive difference.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the projects come to life and benefit local communities.

“As a 100 per cent green energy provider, supporting those who share our vision of a sustainable future through renewable energy is really important to our company, our customers and our colleagues.”