Green Scheme Extends Deadline for Entries

Time is running out for community groups, schools and charities across the North of England to benefit from a grant of up to £5,000 to make a difference to their local environment.

Applications for the grants from Northern Green Networks were due to close on September 1st but the deadline has been extended to September 30th, to allow schools returning from long summer holidays to apply.

Northern Gas Networks has £60,000 to give away in the form of dozens of grants under its Northern Green Networks awards scheme launched last month.

Organisations can download the short application form and full details of the scheme from the internet at www.northerngasnetworks.co.uk/green.

More than 50 applications have already been made but the judges are keen to see more ideas ranging from small scale environmental projects like clean up and planting schemes in local communities to larger restoration and education programmes, being put forward. They are also keen to see innovative ideas which will bring about change.

Northern Green Networks has been designed for communities across the North of England.

Director of Communications, John O’Grady, said the response to the scheme, developed to help the Company to work with its communities, had been terrific.

“There have been some really wonderful ideas coming forward and we are confident that small and larger grants will make a tremendous difference to communities across the North from the Scottish Border to the Humber,” he said. "Some of them are highly innovative while others are simple local community projects.

“Safety is our number one priority, but protecting and enhancing the environment comes a close second. Northern Green Networks will help do that whilst helping us strengthen our links with local people and build understanding of our work maintaining, replacing and extending the gas distribution network.”

A list of the successful organisations will be published later in the year.

For furtherinformation contact John O’Grady or Deborah Yewdall on 0113 397 5377