Cornwall's second home owners urged to donate energy rebates to charity
Crowdfunder says those with second properties here stand to gain £5.4 million
Last updated 26th Aug 2022
It is estimated that Cornwall's second home owners are set to receive an extra £5.4million in their pockets this winter due to the government's energy bills rebate and now local business leaders, charities, and residents are calling on them to #DonateTheRebate.
The £400 grant goes to every home in the UK which means people with more than one home will receive that for every property they own. As Cornwall has 13,500 second homes, this adds up to £5.4 million in additional payments.
Now Crowdfunder, which is based in Newquay, has launched a #DonateTheRebate campaign, calling on second home owners in the Duchy to donate their extra payments to charities.
The Duchy charities you can donate to are Cornwall Community Foundation, Citizens Advice and DISC Newquay.
Crowdfunder says the soaring cost of living is hitting Cornish residents hard, with a 75% increase in families seeking food parcels, 1,500 people in emergency accommodation and over 21,000 on housing waiting lists.
The organisation fears the situation will only get worse, now regulator Ofgem has announced it is raising the energy price cap.
It is estimated that by October, the typical household will pay over £3,500 in energy bills.
Rob Love, CEO and Co-founder of Crowdfunder said: "In times like these, we cannot just rely on governments, charities or corporations: we need a more efficient way to redistribute wealth to those who really need it.
"At Crowdfunder we see real people stepping up everyday to fill the void and bring all of this together to help each other – our #DonateTheRebate campaign represents a 'levelling up' for and by the people.
"We're starting at home in Cornwall, before all of our welcome tourists and second home owners disappear 'up country' once more. Looking forward, we want this to be a template for the rest of the country; it’s a simple mechanism that gets the money to the right places".
Kim Conchie, CEO of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and Chair of Cornwall Community Foundation, said: “People shouldn’t have to choose between feeding their families or turning the heating on this winter. That's why #DonateTheRebate is such an important initiative for Cornwall, where so many people are facing these difficult decisions. That's why I’m donating the rebate from my own home to #DonateTheRebate, and I would like to encourage anyone else who can afford it, to do the same.
Gill Pipkin, CEO of Citizens Advice Cornwall said: "The number of calls to Citizens Advice Cornwall by people in distress is increasing every month as the cost-of-living crisis bites. We helped 9,000 people last year and this number is growing every day.
"We're seeing more people unable to pay their bills, afford fuel, falling behind on debts and in urgent need of help as they face the stark choice of heating or eating.
"We're also seeing a wave of tenants facing homelessness because of eviction notices and the lack of anywhere affordable to rent. The crisis means we are now seeing more people who are in work, but who are simply unable to meet day-to-day living costs".
"Things are getting progressively worse"
Monique Collins from DISC, Newquay said: "For many families and individuals in Cornwall, things are not sustainable now and are getting progressively worse. The cost of living is going up every day. It will get even worse in October with the rising cost of electric and gas going up steeply.
“We need second home owners, and anyone else who can afford to, to Donate The Rebate to help keep vulnerable people warm and fed.”
Harriet Adele, who often uses the DISC charity commented on the campaign, “We're struggling financially with the growing costs of everything. I have a small child and am supported by charities like DISC Newquay regularly. Those who are comfortable and able to afford to donate their rebate should seriously consider it, as those donations are the only things helping keep some families afloat".
Steve and Lesley from The Rame Peninsula, Cornwall: "As a family we are delighted to be one of the initial contributors to this Crowdfunder campaign. Cornwall has always had a great tradition of friendliness to outsiders and now is the time to return the support.
“The perfect storm of rising fuel prices and high inflation is hitting everyone across the UK but in parts of Cornwall it will hit harder than most. We pride ourselves on being a country that makes charitable contributions across the world but now, as never before, we need to look a little closer to home and understand what is happening in our own back garden.
“The government has agreed to provide all households across the UK with monetary support to weather the fuel crisis, but this is not means tested. We are lucky enough to own a second home in Cornwall and can support this brilliant concept by contributing some of the government money that we receive to those who have the greatest need".
How can I donate?
You can donate to one of the charities listed, or pledge to donate at a later date, on the Poor Next Door website.