20 July 2006 00:00 Central Networks apprentices rise to challenge and help conservation efforts at National Trust’s Derbyshire High Peak site

Green-fingered apprentices from electricity distribution company Central Networks downed tools and helped with the National Trust’s efforts to protect peat bogs at Kinder during a week of volunteer work at the site.

The 10-strong group, all of whom work across the East Midlands as apprentice linesmen and cable jointers, volunteered as part of a team challenge to plant cotton grass to protect the peat roots and block up gulleys to prevent water washing the peat away into nearby reservoirs.

Over the course of five days, the team worked together with staff from the National Trust to cover a significant area of peat bog, which is important for its population of breeding birds, including merlin and red grouse.

David Hughes is Resource Planning and Strategy Manager for Central Networks, which is part of E.ON UK, and oversaw the apprentices’ volunteer work.

He said: “The peat at Kinder acts as an underground reservoir for carbon, which would be released into the atmosphere if the peat bogs were allowed to dry up.

“As an energy company committed to low carbon initiatives, it seemed like a cracking idea for our apprentices to spend time on a project with such clear links to reducing carbon emissions.

“Alongside that, it was also a great team building project for us, as it gave our apprentices the opportunity to work alongside each other.”

In 2005, E.ON UK employees dedicated nearly 4,000 hours to charitable organisations through the company’s team challenges and community projects.

E.ON UK, the UK’s largest integrated power and gas company, finds and supports volunteering opportunities which provide a rewarding challenge for employees as part of its wider community relations programme.

Ends

Notes to editors:
• E.ON UK is the UK’s largest integrated power and gas company – generating and distributing electricity, and retailing electricity and gas – and is part of the E.ON group, the world’s largest private sector energy services company. We employ around 13,000 people in the UK;
• In 2005, almost 650 E.ON employees took part in team challenges, which involve departments or cross-functional teams working on a specific task within the community;
• E.ON has volunteers in 10 schools across England, helping pupils with their reading, IT skills and maths, or mentoring pupils;
• In total, 1,700 E.ON employees have taken part in at least one of E.ON’s Energy in the Community programmes in 2005.

For more information contact:
Jane Branscombe on 024 7642 5528
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