Local charity Age UK Isle of Wight is bidding to bag a cash boost from Tesco’s ‘Bags of Help’ initiative, in order to offer free installation of Carbon Monoxide detectors into the homes of older, vulnerable islanders.
Tesco has teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 (raised from carrier bag sales in Tesco stores) awarded to local community projects.
3 groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award, and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant of £4,000.
Age UK Isle of Wight is one of the island’s shortlisted groups and will be using the funds to provide and install Carbon Monoxide detectors in homes around the Island, via their Home Safe Service.
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; exposure to high levels of Carbon Monoxide can often lead to lasting neurological damage. The local charity 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 Home Safe Service Co-ordinator commented:
“Our Home Safe Service is dedicated to helping island residents remain living safely and independently in their homes, we are therefore absolutely delighted that our proposal has been chosen by Tesco. The Carbon Monoxide detectors that we will be able to fit will be a vital part of keeping residents safe, and our clients are extremely grateful for the help that they receive through this service”.
Voting is open throughout May and June, at all 4 Tesco stores in Ryde, Lake, Ventnor and Wootton. Shoppers will receive a token with every in-store transaction, which they can then use to vote for their chosen project. The winner will receive £4,000, with the second and third placed projects receiving £2,000 and £1,000 respectively.
Results of the voting will be announced at the end of July 2018.
