Northern Gas Networks (NGN), the energy distributer for the North of England has teamed up with National Energy Action (NEA) to help raise £250 for households who are unable to keep warm in their homes, as part of Fuel Poverty Awareness Day.

To mark the day, NGN encouraged employees to come to work wearing their old scarves, hats and gloves and tweet selfies of themselves wrapped up with the hashtag #NationsBiggestHouseWarming. Colleagues across the network have also been donating their garments to NGNs ‘warm up’ boxes, with all clothing being going to St George’s Crypt.

Tom Bell, head of social strategy, Northern Gas Networks, visited St George’s Crypt last month to donate the clothes to the Leeds based homeless shelter.

“It’s great to be able to donate our old hats and gloves to The Crypt, and we hope that these old items will help homeless and vulnerable people across the area keep warm. A big thank you to everyone from NGN who got involved!”

Fuel poverty continues to be a large problem across the North of England, with almost a quarter of houses in the North of England thought to be spending more than 10% of their income on heating their homes.

Maria Wardrobe, NEA’s Director of External Affairs said: “Our charity knows only too well the dreadful plight faced by those who cannot afford to heat their home to the level they need to

stay warm and healthy. The 4.5 million UK households who are fuel poor will be worrying about how they are going to pay their fuel bills and will be continuing to make the stark choices about heating or eating. All money raised will go to projects and initiatives that will help vulnerable people live in a warm home.”

Mr Bell continued: “We are always trying to help people living in fuel poverty across our network. The Nation’s Biggest Housewarming has been another great way for us to raise awareness and money for those struggling to keep warm.

“We hope that as well as raising money for NEA, we have helped to raise awareness of what is a very important issue.”

For more information on the Nation’s Biggest Housewarming or to donate to NEA please visit www.nea.org.uk/housewarming.

If you think you are eligible for a free or discounted gas connection, visit www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/yourconnections .