03 December 2004 00:00 Central Networks employees walk the extra mile for local charities in the West Midlands

Employees from Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for the East and West Midlands, have taken part in two separate walkathons to raise almost £2,500 for local charities.

Staff from the company’s Kingswinford site, near Dudley, took part in BRMB’s annual Walkathon to raise money for their official charity - Help a Local Child.

To mark the Walkathon’s 21st anniversary, this year’s route covered 21km - double the normal distance.

Vicky Cook, Finance Assistant for Central Networks, said: “We had to walk round Cannon Hill Park and Highbury Park twice, which was a bit of an effort for some of us who sit at a desk all day.

“But we’d definitely do it again as we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and managed to raise £1,500 for a worthy cause.”

Central Networks’ parent company, E.ON UK, agreed to match fund the walkers.

In addition, employees from Central Networks’ George Road site took part in a ‘Walkajogathon’ to raise money for BDF Newlife, a charity dedicated to helping babies and families with inborn conditions.

The team of fifteen had to either walk or run around Brookvale Park, in Erdington for a team total of 73 miles in just one hour – their efforts were rewarded however by the £900 they raised for the charity.

Harry Harper, Resource Controller for Central Networks, who took part in the walkajogathon, said: “The walk was tough going at times but definitely worthwhile. We’re proud to support this charity and are delighted that we’ve raised so much money.”
ENDS

Notes to editors:
• Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.8 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
• Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For further information contact:
Kathy Doyle on 024 7642 4292
Out of hours, call 024 7642 4000 and ask for the duty press officer