HartlePower CIC, a Hartlepool based community project, has benefitted from a grant of almost £3,000 from the North of England’s gas distributor Northern Gas Networks (NGN).
The group will use the grant, from NGN’s Community Promises Fund, to promote carbon monoxide (CO) awareness locally, targeting families and residents who need assistance and support, such as elderly or disabled.
Through the group’s campaign ‘Carbon Monoxide – The Silent Killer’, the group are planning to run a six-month campaign with events planned across several community centres in Hartlepool giving local people key information about prevention and detection. The group will also be supporting the campaign with information in local press, radio and social media.
Three community centres already taking part include The Annexe in Dyke House, The Burbank Community Centre and The Orcel Centre. In addition, residents can also visit the HartlePower Hub in the Market Hall at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre to pick up a leaflet and more information.
Paul Hewitson, from HartlePower CIC, said: “We are thrilled to have been supported by Northern Gas Networks. This campaign will raise awareness about the dangers and warning signs of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, it’s crucial that residents know how to identify it and what to do to prevent it.
“I would also like to thank our community centre partners who play a vital role in supporting our residents through campaigns such as this.”
Tom Bell, Head of Social Strategy at Northern Gas Networks, said: “Northern Gas Networks are really pleased to be able to offer Hartlepower HIC a grant as part of our Community Promises Fund. As part of the application the judging panel felt that this project was very ambitious and had a good track record with engaging with the community.
“As well as the grant we’ll also be supporting HartlePower CIC, and the other organisations who have been awarded a grant, with any other support they might need; such as volunteering opportunities advice or how they can share best practice with one another.
“Community groups, and other local organisations, play a fundamental role in helping to identify and assist those who are in need and I’m very much looking forward to working with them on their exciting projects and their efforts to help make a difference to local people’s lives.”
HartlePower CIC received the grand as part of NGN’s £50,000 Community Promises Fund.
The fund, which is now in its second year, offers grants of between £1,000 and £10,000 to third sector organisations and community groups with innovative approaches to delivering sustainable initiatives associated with energy saving, fuel poverty, Carbon Monoxide awareness, raising the profile of the Priority Services Register (PSR) and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects across areas of the North of England.
After applying at the end of last year, the nine projects benefiting from the 2018 funding programme are: Age UK in Gateshead, Citizen Advice in Newcastle, Community Voice FM Ltd in Cleveland, Hartlepower C.I.C. in Hartlepool, Highfield Food Co-op in Keighley, National Energy Action, Stockton and District Advice, Information Service (SDAIS), The Canopy Housing Project in Leeds and Yorkshire Energy Doctor CIC.
The community projects include a whole host of innovative campaigns, from supporting vulnerable people with dementia access the Priority Service Register (PSR) to organising Carbon Monoxide (CO) awareness sessions and provide information on being more energy efficient.
Anyone that smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24-hours a day, seven days a week.