The Gas Distribution Networks (GDN’s) across the UK have launched their Carbon Monoxide (CO) Charity Fund, inviting UK charities and organisations to apply for funding to support CO related initiatives.

Following the fund’s successful launch last year the GDN’s are pleased to once again launch this year’s fund. The GDN’s will consider applications on an annual basis and award one-off grants up to the value of £10,000 from the fund.

Northern Gas Networks, in partnership with Cadent, SGN and Wales & West Utilities, are hopeful the fund will encourage new and innovative ideas around raising awareness of the risks, dangers and symptoms of CO and the prevention of further CO poisoning cases in the UK.

Tom Bell, Head of Social Strategy at Northern Gas Networks and Chair of the GDN CO Best Practice Group, said: “We are pleased that GDN’s across the UK have collaborated to set up this important fund, providing support to charities and other organisations who already work on CO related initiatives and engaging new charities with fresh ideas to get involved.

“After the launch today, we look forward to receiving and considering all applications over the next few months.”

The deadline for application submissions is Friday 31 August. Following the deadline, the GDN’s will meet in October to review the applicants. Anyone wishing to find out more, or to download an application form, should visit: www.energynetworks.org/gas/she/co-charity-fund-2018.html

CO is a poisonous, colourless and odourless gas that can lead to dizziness, nausea, tiredness, loss of breath and potential death.

The Department of Health estimates around 4,000 people attending accident and emergency departments in the UK are diagnosed with CO poisoning. Accurate numbers are however difficult to determine because the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning are very similar to other common illnesses and so can often be misdiagnosed by health professionals.

The Carbon Monoxide Charity Fund has been established off the back of NGN’s Community Promises Fund framework. The fund 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.

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.

A pupil from Rowlands Gill Primary School in Tyne and Wear has won the regional heat in the national carbon monoxide (CO) school safety competition.

Jack Nicholson (aged 7) won £150 for himself and £300 for his school, with his eye-catching poster that uses Safety Seymour, a super-hero from outer space who warns children about the dangers of CO, to clearly detail how to identify the ‘silent killer’.

Regional winners will now come together at the national final that will be judged at the Palace of Westminster on Thursday 28 June. The overall national winner will win an additional £300 for themselves and £600 for their school/organisation.

Tom Bell, Head of Social Strategy at Northern Gas Networks, said: “I’m delighted that we had so many great entries for this year’s competition. Jack’s poster is a really eye catching example of what CO is and how we can all prevent becoming a victim of the silent killer. Well done Jack!”

Mrs McCallion, Headteacher at Rowlands Gill Primary School, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that Jack has won the regional heat in the national carbon monoxide school safety competition. We’re really proud of him and the effort he, and all of the pupils that entered, put in to warn people about the dangers of carbon monoxide. We’re keeping everything crossed for next Thursday.”

Jack Nicholson said: “I’m over the moon that my carbon monoxide awareness poster has won the regional competition and I can’t wait to see the sights of London and attend the national final at the Palace of Westminster.”

The annual competition is open to children aged 5 to 11-years-old and there are some great prizes up for grabs for the winning pupil and their school or organisation (such as Cubs or Brownies). Entrants will be open from September, to find out more visit: energynetworks.org or northerngasnetworks.co.uk later in the year.

Tom added: “Engaging children through art is a great way to raise awareness and hopefully educate their families too. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to have some fun, exercise their creative talents and have a chance of winning some great prizes while relaying an important safety message.”

CO is produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels and can be emitted by faulty boilers or gas appliances. Symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath, with around 50 UK deaths recorded every year. For further information about the dangers of carbon monoxide, visit: northerngasnetworks.co.uk/carbon-monoxide.

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.

A pupil from Robin Hood Primary School in Wakefield has won the regional heat in the national carbon monoxide (CO) school safety competition.

Holly Briscoe won £150 for herself, and £300 for her school, with her creative poster that clearly details what CO is, what the symptoms of CO poisoning are and how you can prevent the ‘silent killer’.

Regional winners will now come together at the national final that will be judged at the Palace of Westminster on Thursday 28 June. The overall national winner will win an additional £300 for themselves and £600 for their school/organisation.

Tom Bell, Head of Social Strategy at Northern Gas Networks, said: “I’m delighted that we had so many great entries for this year’s competition and really chuffed for our Yorkshire winner Hollie. Her poster is an excellent example of what CO is and what the symptoms are but also, really importantly, what we can all do to prevent becoming a victim of the silent killer.”

Miss Mees, Deputy Headteacher at Robin Hood Primary School, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that Hollie has won the regional heat for the national carbon monoxide school safety competition. We’re really proud of her and the effort she, and all of the pupils that entered, put in to warn people about the dangers of carbon monoxide. We’re keeping everything crossed for a week Thursday.”

Hollie Briscoe said: “I’m over the moon that my carbon monoxide awareness poster has won the regional competition and I can’t wait to see the sights of London and attend the national final at the Palace of Westminster.”

The annual competition is open to children aged 5 to 11-years-old and there are some great prizes up for grabs for the winning pupil and their school or organisation (such as Cubs or Brownies). Entrants will be open from September, to find out more visit: energynetworks.org or northerngasnetworks.co.uk later in the year.

Tom added: “Engaging children through art is a great way to raise awareness and hopefully educate their families too. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to have some fun, exercise their creative talents and have a chance of winning some great prizes while relaying an important safety message.”

CO is produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels and can be emitted by faulty boilers or gas appliances. Symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath, with around 50 UK deaths recorded every year. For further information about the dangers of carbon monoxide, visit: northerngasnetworks.co.uk/carbon-monoxide.

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.