WE are chuffed that the Household Energy Service (HES) was named as a good example of a local voluntar y organisation by Philip Dunne MP (Advertiser, August 19).

As an independent energy service that was set up by local people and for local people, five years before the Conservative’s Big Society, we are well acquainted with the idea of doing something for more than just money.

Our communities have thrived upon this spirit of common humanity for many generations.

Most people are incredibly generous with their unpaid time – take parents, or friends and neighbours, or a wealth of community groups from WI to scouts.

However, we all know that in today’s world, having enough money is important. It is, indeed, important to organisations like HES.

Sometimes it has been very difficult for us, even with the immense goodwill of our volunteers, to make ends meet.

Even so, our commitment to the empowerment of local people and to looking after the place where we all live, means that we choose to remain independent.

We contribute to society because we care.

We welcome support from local and central government, but volunteering is a mark of our independence and cannot be owned by corporations or governments. It’s a people thing.

ADAM KENNERLEY, Chief Executive Officer, Household Energy Service, Bishop’s Castle.