12 Feb 2016

• National Grid partnered with Macmillan to support cancer victims

• Employees at National Grid's Strand office recognised for fundraising efforts

• Money will be used to pay for emergency fuel grants to help cancer sufferers struggling to heat their homes

Big-hearted National Grid employees at the Strand have been recognised for playing their part in raising a whopping £600,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

A two-year partnership between the two organisations saw staff across the country smash their half a million pound fundraising target to support those living with cancer and their families. The company generously matched every penny raised by employees in 2015. The cash will be used to pay for 3,121 emergency fuel grants to help cancer sufferers struggling to heat their homes.

At National Grid's Strand office Iwan Hughes - who is currently rowing across the Atlantic to raise funds for Macmillan - was named Outstanding Individual for his epic fundraising efforts.

Awards for raising the most funds were given to David Preston, Malcolm Cooper, Harriet Warr, Elpida Adamopoulos, Kwok Liu, Kirsten Cartwright, Jonathan Cohen, Anna Zagorska, Fiona Peel, Melissa Johnston, Karen Peppiatt and Chelsey Glegg.

Other fundraising efforts by National Grid staff at The Strand have included the Ben Nevis Midnight Challenge. This involved 16 employees climbing the 1,344 metre peak. The team set off before midnight in order to reach the summit in time to see sunrise.

The fundraising endeavours have been overseen by Site Champions Megan Barnes, Melanie Rowing-Parker and Fiona Peel.

Fiona, said: 'It's great that there's been such an enthusiastic response from our team at The Strand.

'We've raised a lot of money to help cancer sufferers while having a lot of fun in the process.'

She added: 'Getting to the summit of Ben Nevis at 3am was one of the most rewarding challenges and being the least fittest of the team, it was a tough journey.

'I didn't want to let my colleagues down, I just kept thinking about the benefit Macmillan gave to my family during tough times'

Chris Train, National Grid's Director of Gas Distribution, has championed the Macmillan partnership at National Grid.

He said: 'I am incredibly proud of our employees. No-one should face cancer alone and through this magnificent achievement our employees have shown that we are a company that cares.

'Thanks to their tireless fundraising efforts, people living with cancer and their families will receive the vital support they need. All the money raised will be used for Macmilllan's emergency fuel grants, which means those living with cancer can keep warm without worrying about heating bills.'

Describing the partnership with National Grid as one of Macmillan's 'shining stars', Alix Wooding, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Macmillan, said : 'We would like to thank National Grid and all its employees for their enduring support and for helping us make sure no-one has to face cancer alone.

'Nearly one in five people living with cancer turn the heating off, even though they feel cold because they're worried about paying their bills. Over the last two years National Grid and Macmillan have worked together to help change this.

'Being warm is a fundamental part of the recovery process and the impact of our work funding heating grants is immediate, profound and long lasting. The money National Grid has raised will make such a big difference to people affected by cancer.'

National Grid plc issued this content on 12 February 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 12 February 2016 16:45:14 UTC

Original Document: http://media.nationalgrid.com/press-releases/uk-press-releases/south/epic-fundraising-national-grid-employees-in-london-play-role-in-600-000-macmillan-fundraising-bonanza/