27 March 2008 13:24
E.ON awards Hoo Peninsula community groups over £32,000 from community investment fund

E.ON, the company behind Kingsnorth and Grain power stations, has awarded 17 community groups in the Hoo Peninsula a total of £32,000 in funding from their £100,000 community investment fund.

The special fund was launched in May last year to celebrate the start of work at the new gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) station on the Isle of Grain.

The successful projects that received funding were:

• St James Church - £1,800 for disabled ramps
• K&M Walking Bus - £500 for high visibility coats
• Stoke VH - £3,000 for doors and windows
• High Halstow Youth Club - £400 for equipment
• UJ Community Partnership - £2,800 for equipment and security
• Grain Youth Club - £1,150 for equipment
• Cliffe & Cliffe Woods PC - £5,000 for youth shelter
• Allhallows PC Youth Committee - £1.312 for building improvements
• High Halstow PC - £1,500 for recreation ground
• Cliffe Woods CA - £1,500 for tables and chairs
• Hoo Youth Club - £900 for youth club group
• St James PC - £5,000 for skate park upgrade
• Grain Over 45's - £600 for hall hire and equipment
• 50^th Strood (Hoo) Scout Group - £1,500 for gas connection
• Cliffe Woods Primary School - £3,500 for adventure playground
• 1^st Cliffe Woods Guides - £840 for camping equipment
• CHUMS - £1,050 for running costs

Mel Reed, who was awarded £1,500 for the 50^th Strood (Hoo) Scout Group, said: "This money will make a world of difference to us as it will allow us to get a mains gas connection to our Scout hut. At the moment we're spending a lot of our money on expensive gas bottles to keep the hut warm.

"We'd really like to thank E.ON for the donation as it means that more of our funds will be able to go towards resources for the Scouts and also for the other groups from our village that use the hut on a regular basis."

Decisions on the grants are being made by members of a special Local Liaison Committee, which features representatives from local parish councils and members of E.ON's project teams.

Julie Wantling, from Kingsnorth Power Station, said: "The committee are faced with some tough decisions as there are many worthwhile groups that apply, and it's always great to see how even a small grant can make a huge difference, especially to those groups that are just starting up."

Malcolm Coston, from Grain Power Station's project team, added: "Our Local Liaison Committee ensures we have good representation across the Peninsula and I feel proud to be able to work with and support the community in this way."

The E.ON Community Investment Fund is part of the company's commitment to investing in communities near its sites and is designed to support effective projects that will help genuine community needs.

Billie Holland, Community Relations Executive at E.ON UK, said: "Our ambition is for the money to be used to support projects that will leave a lasting legacy and further the relationship between E.ON and our neighbours.

"The deadline for the next round of applications is May 30, and, however big or small the project, it will be considered, so please send those applications in."

The new power station at Grain will be the largest and most efficient station of its kind in the UK. It will generate enough electricity for around one million homes and also displace the emission of up to 350,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, equivalent to taking around 100,000 cars off the UK's roads.

Further information on the Community Investment Fund, including a funding pack and application form can be found on the E.ON UK website, www.eon-uk.com/newgas/grain or by calling Action with Communities in Rural Kent on 01303 850 816.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

• The total fund of £100,000 will be available to projects over the four-year construction period at Grain;
• The fund is in the form of a grant administered by Action with Communities in Rural Kent, who aim to improve the quality of life of local communities, particularly for disadvantaged people, and to facilitate the development of thriving, diverse and sustainable communities;
• Awards will be made by a Local Liaison Committee (LLC) including representatives from the local parish councils and members of E.ON's project teams at Kingsnorth and Grain power stations.

For more information contact:

Deanna Mooney on 024 7618 3678