We wish we could say this hardly ever happens. But years of high living and energy costs, stagnating incomes and wider systemic pressures mean fuel crisis has become far too common.
For the third year running, the Drax Foundation has worked with us to change that story for thousands of people who otherwise would have had nowhere else to turn.
About Drax
Drax is the UK’s largest single source of renewable electricity. The company supplies renewable power directly to industrial and commercial customers and provides low-carbon, flexible generation to the national grid. Their long‑term ambition is bold: To enable a zero‑carbon, lower‑cost energy future for everyone. Energy security and affordability sit at the heart of that mission — and it’s why they chose to partner with us, providing practical, meaningful support to communities who, right now, cannot afford a basic amount of energy.
Three years of partnership
Three years ago, Drax Foundation began supporting Fuel Bank Foundation, helping families who faced living without heat, light and power because they couldn’t afford to prepay for it.
Since then, the global instability that first pushed up energy prices has not eased – living and energy costs remain chronically and uncomfortably high, while income and benefits have hardly moved. Put simply, the system can no longer protect our most vulnerable, and more households are being pulled into crisis.
Recognising these growing pressures, Drax Foundation doubled their annual funding this year.
Thousands of vulnerable people supported thanks to Drax Foundation’s funding uplift
Drax’s doubling of support gives us the stability to stay present in the communities around their operating areas, and in areas where we’re most needed. It also allows us to reach underserved communities — people who, without this funding, could easily fall through the cracks.
Their support also enables us to extend our Heat Fund, ensuring families who rely on LPG, biomass or heating oil aren’t left behind. Right now, this help is crucial. Households relying on alternative fuels have little to no price protection and often must buy in bulk. Recent global events have sent heating‑oil costs soaring, with families now facing around £750 for a minimum order of 500 litres — a sum many simply cannot afford.
With Drax Foundation’s support, we expect to help over 2,000 people this year. That includes emergency fuel, along with energy‑efficiency and budgeting advice that helps households regain control and avoid repeated fuel crisis.
Across our three‑year partnership, this brings the total number of people supported through Drax’s funding to more than 4,000 — thousands who’ve been able to stay safely connected to heat, light and power when they had nowhere else to turn.
A partnership built on shared beliefs
For Matt Cole, Fuel Bank Foundation’s CEO, the partnership represents more than funding:
