Former Cessnock mayor Alison Davey handed over $6400 to Hope Valley Church at Cessnock on Monday, to help restore cool air to the Hall Street facility.

The generous donation came after the church’s air conditioner broke last month because of a power fluctuation that occurred while energy provider Ausgrid was performing maintenance on a nearby electricity pole.

Ausgrid told Fairfax Media that it had the estimated cost of replacing the air conditioner independently evaluated and offered Pastor Luke Main and his church $4600.

Pastor Main says quotes he has obtained put the cost at about $10,000.

But when he approached NSW Fair Trading for advice, the ombudsman told him the energy provider had handled the matter appropriately.

With temperatures predicted to be as high as 37 degrees in Cessnock this week, Ms Davey made the offer to fund the shortfall of Ausgrid’s compensation.

Ms Davey said she was not a member of the church, but believed Hope Valley was “the best church in town”. She said she particularly admired its work with young people.

“I just watched that church grow into something that’s unique,” she said.

“I think they are doing an excellent job in this community. I couldn’t bear the thought of them having their Christmas celebrations with no air conditioning.”

Pastor Main said Ms Davey shared his church’s vision for the community.

“Ausgrid’s failure to simply return our building to its condition, prior to them destroying the AC, holds us back from so much quality and meaningful community engagement,” he said.

“This is what has moved Alison’s heart toward such an extraordinary offer of support.

“Can you imagine what our communities would look like if our country’s billion dollar companies had hearts like hers?”