16 August 2010 10:55 Anchor Staying Put Shropshire and Central Networks join forces again to protect the elderly

For the second year running, local electricity distributor Central Networks has donated 400 of its crisis packs to Anchor Staying Put Shropshire, as part of its work to help elderly and other vulnerable customers.

The packs, which contain useful items that can help in the unlikely event of a power cut, are handed out by Anchor handymen who help elderly and disabled residents with small maintenance jobs around the home.

Phil Wilson, Customer Operations Manager at Central Networks, said: "Our crisis packs contain essential items for use during a power cut, like a blanket, a hand warmer, a torch with batteries, an analogue phone and information on how to stay safe when there's no power.

"By donating these packs to charitable organisations like Anchor Staying Put Shropshire, we can make sure our most vulnerable customers are prepared if there's a power cut at their home."

John Simcox, from Anchor Staying Put Shropshire, said: "These packs are most gratefully received and could be potentially life saving. Shropshire is a rural county with many people living in hard to reach places.

"When the weather takes a turn for the worse, power and transportation are greatly affected and that means inconvenience at best and potential danger at worst case scenario.

"We are talking of older, frail and vulnerable people and these packs can and do make a difference. We are delighted to be able to work with our partner Central Networks and through their kind, caring generosity, we can make this happen."

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Central Networks, provides a reliable supply to 10 million people in central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables - enough to go round the Earth more than three times - and via almost 94,000 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:

Alisha Allen on 02476 192 063