Essential gas pipe upgrade in Cumwhinton & Wetheral Pastures, Cumbria

Northern Gas Networks (NGN), and our delivery partner Caecillian Utilities teamed up to give a donation of £800 to a local animal charity.

Essential work is happening in Cumwhinton & Wetheral Pastures, near Carlisle, to replace ageing metal pipework with around 2km of new, more durable plastic pipes.

The gas network is already highly resilient, and this work reduces gas leakages even further. It’s part of NGN’s ongoing major investment ensuring the continued safe and reliable supply of gas to customers.

This will keep homes and businesses safe, warm and connected. Around £500,000 will be spent on this upgrade.

Helping Animals in Need

Oak Tree Animals’ Charity, providing a safe place for cats, dogs and horses before they find loving new homes, is based in Wetheral. NGN’s Customer Care Officer Stevie Sharp-Brown and Caecillian’s Business Improvement Manager Ellie Gibson presented the donation. In addition, there was a meet and greet with some of the adorable animals.

Stevie also organised a cake sale at NGN’s Carlisle depot where colleagues will raise further money for the charity.

Stevie said: “It was one of the best mornings at work ever! I live in the area and know this charity well, they’re highly thought of and do an amazing job. It was rewarding to find out more about what they do, meet the animals and present the donation.

“We’re very conscious of the impact of our essential upgrade work on residents and businesses in our local area. We’ve held community drop in sessions and completed leaflet drops. Also, we’ve personally knocked on doors to explain what’s happening to customers.”

Making a Difference

Mollie Marr, Fundraising Officer at Oak Tree Animals’ Charity, said: “We’re so grateful for any donation. This one from NGN and Caecillian will make a massive difference to us.

“This donation will go towards health checks, medication and feeding the animals who we care for and arrange to be rehomed.

“It costs hundreds of pounds to rehome just one animal, and we have so many other costs too, so we’re very grateful to NGN and Caecillian for the donation.”

Lee Gallagher, Operations Manager at Caecillian, said: “We were more than happy to lend a hand to this fantastic charity.

“The way they care for animals like cats, dogs, and horses, and support the people who love them, really does make a huge difference when it matters most. We’re proud to be involved in this donation.”

Carlisle MP Julie Minns praised the donation.

She said: “As a happy dog owner, I really appreciate the vital work that Oak Tree does. Having recently joined NGN on a site visit near Oaktree I did raise concerns about the potential impact the vital network upgrade work might have on visitors to the shelter. It’s great to see NGN take those concerns on board and make this generous donation with Caecillian to support Oaktree’s work.

“They are setting a great example that I hope other businesses will follow. The Government is playing its part too. I am proud to back Labour’s animal welfare strategy – the most ambitious in a generation – working to give every animal the care and protection they deserve.”

A Fairer, Greener Future for the North of England

Emma Holman, Sustainability Reporting Lead at NGN, said: “Gas leakage accounts for 90% of NGN’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as our gas is predominantly methane, a potent greenhouse gas. We are reducing our gas leakage by replacing aged, leak prone metallic gas pipes with new, robust plastic pipes. This is part of a 30 year programme extending to 2032.

“Pipe replacement projects such as this one support NGN’s target to reduce total emissions by 45% between 2018 and 2030. Our annual gas leakage has reduced by 31% from 2018 to 2025. This has allowed us to save approximately 430,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e).”