The money from a series of SELECT initiatives will go to the Electrical Industries Charity (EIC), which provides practical support services and financial relief to the 1.3 million people working throughout the UK in the electrical and energy-related sectors.

Last year, the EIC gave out £500,000 in direct financial assistance, while providing further non-financial support to more than 7,400 people.

More than half of the money raised came from the SELECT Awards held earlier this month, where a crowd of 350 gathered at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu to pay tribute to the leading talent within the Scottish sector.

Hosted by radio and television personality Shereen Nanjiani, the 14th annual event was SELECT’s largest awards ceremony to date. It included a charity raffle that raised more than £3,000 and saw three lucky winners walk away with some brilliant prizes.

Earlier in the summer, SELECT’s President’s Walk at the beginning of June brought in a further £1,500 as approximately 50 ramblers tackled the five-mile Green Bridge Trail at Chatelherault Park in Hamilton. That event was dedicated to Jim McArthur, SELECT past president and the former chairman of the Lanarkshire branch, who passed away last year.

SELECT’s first Teddy Bears’ Picnic later in June, which brought together the organisation’s staff, members and their families for a day of face painting, entertainment and games that raised a further £500 for the EIC.

“The support from Scotland for the EIC’s great work has been amazing, and reflects the valued place this charity holds within our sector,” SELECT President Kevin Griffin said.

“Set up at a time when charities were in their infancy and safety nets such as unemployment benefits, state pensions and a national health service had yet to be thought of, the EIC has been providing assistance for more than 100 years to industry colleagues who have fallen upon hard times. The wide variety of services on offer from the EIC have been a major component in creating and maintaining the thriving industry which we work in today.”

As well as financial assistance, the EIC provides telephone counselling, debt advice, support for carers, scholarships and bursary schemes, legal and career transition advice. All services are free and confidential, and are open to those who currently or who have previously worked in the electrical industry.

Tess Ogle, managing director and CEO of the EIC, said: “We are extremely grateful to SELECT for their continued support. Thanks to their many ongoing events, and the generosity of their staff and members, we are able to continue our vital work, helping electrical workers and their families throughout the industry.”