People's Energy staff in charity brunch

STAFF at an alternative energy provider have put their money where their mouth is for their latest charity challenge '“ by hosting a brunch to raise cash for a charity funding research into a genetic disorder.

Peoples Energy staff held a brunch for Harrisons Fund  and even office dog Albus joined in

Musselburgh-based People’s Energy raised more than £100 for the Harrison’s Fund foundation, which aims to raise money to fund treatment for those living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

The rare genetic condition affects all the muscles in the body, causing them to waste away, but the charity hopes to help fund the clinical trial of the drug Carmaseal, which may help alleviate the disease.

The charity was set up by Alex and Donna Smith, parents of 12-year-old Harrison, who was diagnosed with the condition at just six years old.

By binding tears in the muscle, the drug prevents the leakage of calcium into the cells which keeps them from performing as required, according to recent studies. As a result, it has been shown to improve the efficiency of damaged hearts and the performance of damaged diaphragms in patients with DMD, irrespective of the genetic defect that causes the disease.

Róisín Condron, social media co-ordinator at the energy firm said staff were delighted to contribute to the foundation after being inspired by Harrison’s story.

She said: “Duchenne is such a heartbreaking prognosis for any parent to receive, so of course we would want to help in any way that we can, especially in getting awareness of the fantastic work that the charity is doing.

“The brunch took place in the building where our offices are in Eskmills and to ensure we could raise as much money and awareness as possible we invited the whole building along – our office dog, Albus, even came over for a sniff.”

“We believe in powering people’s ambitions for good and wee Harrison’s story does just that.”

The energy provider was set up in August 2017 as an alternative to the Big Six corporations after raising more than £500,000 from a crowdfunding campaign.

Founded by husband and wife team David Pike and Karin Sode, the company has pledged to make public their decisions, accounts, salaries and wholesale energy costs, to return three-quarters of profits to customers in an annual rebate and to have a customer representative on the board.

Earlier this month, the company revealed that it had reached more than 10,000 customers in less than a year.

Luci Roberts, campaigns and community executive at Harrison’s Fund said: “It’s great to see the staff supporting our work at a grass roots level as well as with our charity partnership – it really does make all the difference and it’s wonderful to see just how committed they are to the cause and helping us in our mission to beat Duchenne.”