A community hub can upgrade its heating thanks to support from a foundation.

The Summit Centre, Kirkby, will buy a new boiler after £19,837 funding from the npower Business Solutions Foundation. It was given support by coal mining charity CISWO.

A thriving community centre for family, social, sports, and business activities, the centre has 500 weekly users and supports more than 150 low-income families through its food club.

It said the new heating system would improve energy efficiency, lower costs, and create a warm and welcoming space for everyone.

Becky Rose, director of Business Development at CISWO, said: “We are aware that many miners’ welfare charities have experienced high energy costs in recent years.

“Improving their energy efficiency is a practical way to address this, reducing costs and allowing more of their funds to be spent on delivering their charitable activities for former miners, their families, and the wider community.”

Kay Appleby, secretary of the Summit Centre, added: “This will allow us to operate the community centre without the risk of the old boiler failing and leaving the building without heating, as has happened multiple times before.

“Thanks also to CISWO for their time, effort, and support.”

Anthony Ainsworth, chief operating officer at npower Business Solutions, said there would be an added benefit, with the new heating system having a positive environmental impact by improving energy efficiency and reducing costs and carbon emissions.”

Pictured are Craig Wolstenholme, grants assistant at CISWO, and Kay Appleby, secretary of the Summit Centre, Kirkby.