42 pieces of high-quality, used office furniture have been donated by CCR Energy Ltd to schools and small businesses across the Vale of Glamorgan.

CCR Energy, a company which encourages the growth of green energy and low carbon technologies, has donated a diverse selection of desks, chairs, tables, filing cabinets and sofas from its ACE building in Aberthaw to give each item a second life in settings where they are needed most.

Due to a small refurbishment of its offices, the company had a surplus of used furniture that was no longer needed, and managed to find new homes for it all after approaching local community groups.

Beneficiaries include primary and secondary schools, community councils and independent enterprises in the county who often face tight budgets when it comes to furnishing their spaces. Each recipient was carefully selected based on need and the positive impact the furniture could bring to their working and learning environments.

CCR Energy also donated a dishwasher and a 20L Water Boiler to a school which is looking to use the items in its special educational needs (SEN) base.

The donations aim to support the region's educational and entrepreneurial communities while reducing waste and promoting environmental responsibility, reinforcing the principles of a circular economy where resources are reused and repurposed for maximum benefit.

Rob O'Dwyer, Head of Project Delivery at CCR Energy, said: "We are delighted to have donated our excess furniture to those who need it, including schools, community councils, local businesses and other organisations. Repurposing this furniture demonstrates our deep-rooted commitment to social value and community benefit, and we are glad that we can provide this for our local community and make a real difference."

For several small businesses, receiving office tables and storage cabinets has allowed them to improve their workspace and focus more resources on growing their operations, while teachers at a local school have expressed their gratitude for donated desks and chairs that helped furnish a new room that would have otherwise remained empty due to funding constraints.

Derek Willmot, a member of St Athan Community Council, said: "St Athan Community Council is extremely grateful for the donation of the boardroom table from CCR Energy, which is being utilised in the council chamber. It has enabled us to recycle, via St Athans Clothes Bank, a number of older small tables."