06 January 2004 00:00 East Midlands Electricity bringing power to the people

East Midlands Electricity (EME) has donated one of its vans to local community group RuralWEB.

The vehicle was due to be replaced with a newer model in the New Year so EME was happy to find a good home for the vehicle.

Owen Davies, Logistics and Fleet Contract Manager at EME, said: “When RuralWEB asked if there was any chance of us lending a hand, we jumped at the chance to get involved with the project.”

RuralWEB is a village club, based in Woodhouse Eaves near Loughborough, and is run entirely by volunteers. The group has been awarded funding by the East Midlands Development Agency to deliver broadband access to free IT training and information for those isolated groups within the local community which don't have access to the internet.

“We were planning on replacing the van as part of our renewal programme, so it’s great to know that it’s going to be of use now we’ve finished with it,” said Owen.

EME uses its vans to carry out repairs and maintenance throughout the region.

Catriona Kelly, Acting Warden at St Paul’s Primary School and Community Centre who has been working with RuralWEB, said: “Broadband isn't an option so we've been awarded funding to research and develop the possibilities of using wireless technology to give people in this area internet access. Because it's so hilly around here it is a really difficult but
interesting project.

“We’re going to use the van to transport our satellite equipment, laptops and a qualified tutor to various sites around Charnwood.

“There’s quite a big section of this area with people who just can’t access the internet because of lack of mobility, age or location – now we have the van we can really get down to work and do our bit for the community.”

ENDS
For further information and pictures contact:
Emily Highmore 024 7642 4292