Moorland Fuels donates more than £1,300 to Age UK Devon as part of community support drive

Okehampton-based fuel supplier Moorland Fuels has raised over £1,300 for Age UK Devon, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to supporting vulnerable people across the county. The donation was made through the company’s “What matters to you, matters to us” initiative and forms part of its wider “Giving Back” programme.

Moorland Fuels, which has supplied domestic, agricultural and commercial fuel to customers across the South West for more than two decades, pledged to donate a portion of every fuel and oil delivery made between March and June. The funds will support Age UK Devon’s extensive services for older people, which include scams awareness training, home support and foot care - services that have become increasingly important as the county’s ageing population continues to rise. According to the latest census, nearly 25% of Devon’s residents are aged 65 and over, well above the national average.

Welcoming the donation, Sophie Littlewood, Chief Executive of Age UK Devon, said: “We can’t thank Moorland Fuels and their kind customers enough. Their support has been fantastic and will enable us to help older members of the community enjoy a better quality of life, which is a truly wonderful thing!”

Age UK Devon has served the county for more than 70 years, part of a national network formed in 2009 when Age Concern and Help the Aged merged to create Age UK. Locally, the charity remains a crucial lifeline for older residents, particularly those in isolated rural communities.

Since becoming employee-owned in 2022, Moorland Fuels has introduced a range of initiatives designed to give back to the communities it serves while improving customer support. This includes its Cold Weather Priority Scheme, which prioritises heating-oil deliveries to customers over 75 or those with medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to cold weather. The approach reflects a wider trend across the UK in which fuel poverty and rural isolation remain key challenges for elderly residents.

The company has also taken steps to make heating more affordable for older customers. It became the first fuel supplier in the South West to lower its minimum heating-oil order for pensioners from 500 to 300 litres, helping customers spread the cost during periods of high demand and fluctuating oil prices.

Abby Turner, Director of Moorland Fuels, said the donation reflected the values at the heart of the business: “We’re big believers in people and working together towards a shared goal. That’s why we launched the Moorland Fuels ‘Giving Back Scheme’, as we knew it was something that our customers would really get behind.

“Through their orders, we have been able to raise a four-figure sum. That money will now go towards helping older members of our community, many of whom live in remote rural locations or off-grid villages.

“For us, it’s great to know that we will be providing a lifeline not only through our support for Age UK Devon, but through deliveries of heating oil when our customers need it most.”

Turner added: “As an employee owned business, we’re driven by passion and a commitment to our customers. We exist to fuel the heartbeat of our local community. That includes supporting charities that make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.”

For customers who rely on heating oil, Moorland Fuels also runs its Cosy Heating Club, which offers benefits for monthly Direct Debit customers, including the chance to win 500 litres of heating oil every quarter, a significant prize for many rural households where oil remains the primary heating source.

More information about Moorland Fuels and its community initiatives can be found at www.moorlandfuels.co.uk