By Isle of Wight ObserverLocal charity Age UK Isle of Wight are delighted to have bagged an incredible
£3,990 through Tesco’s Bags of Help community grant scheme.
The charity, which supports older and vulnerable Islanders, successfully won the
grant through the support of Tesco shoppers, who voted in-store during May and
June, for their favourite of three projects.
Age UK Isle of Wight’s project proposal was to provide and install Carbon Monoxide
detectors in the homes of older, vulnerable people around the Island, and winning
this pot of money means that they will be able to do exactly that.
Work will now begin on bringing the project to life, which will see more than 100 households benefit from the cash boost, with technicians from the charity’s Homesafe team
installing the detectors entirely free of charge.
Accidental Carbon Monoxide poisoning results in around 240 deaths and hospitalisations each year in England and Wales, with the highest at risk being the over 65s.
Age UK Isle of Wight aims to raise awareness and help combat this through the provision of these free alarms and free installation.
Sharon Collins, Age UK Isle of Wight’s Homesafe Service Co-ordinator said: “A massive thank you to Tesco and the public for their support in helping us make one small change for our vulnerable elderly islanders; this will help them feel secure in their homes.
“If you feel that you are eligible for one of our free Carbon Monoxide detectors, or have a family member who requires one, please call Age UK Isle of Wight on 525282 or drop us an email at technician@ageukiw.org.uk”
Bags of Help is run in partnership with environmental charity Groundwork, and sees
grants raised from the sale of carrier bags awarded to thousands of local community
projects every year.
