Following our highly successful competition we are pleased to use the first news article of our new look website to formally announce the winner.
During March, April and May we ran a competition for a local charity or community project to compete for the supply and installation of a Solar PV system donated by Ecofurb (UK) Ltd. Due to the success of 2010 we wanted to give back to our local community. The idea behind the prize was for a local charity or project to benefit from the Feed in Tariff scheme. As the system is being donated and installed by Ecofurb (UK) Ltd there will be no payback period and the charity will start generating electricity which will reduce their overheads and generate a tax free income for 25 years.
After a tremendous response, four local charities were shortlisted for a visit and site survey. These included Friary Gardeners, Barby Keel Animal Sanctuary, Little Common Community Centre and 'Greensleeves' part of Eastbourne and District Mencap. After considering each charities electricity usage, site suitability and the benefits that each charity provides, our team finally decided that 'Greensleeves' would be the most suitable beneficiary of the prize. The charity provides a home for older people who often have both a learning and physical disability. Whilst affiliated with Royal Mencap they do not receive any financial support from that charity and all funding must be raised locally.
Eastbourne Mencap's residents at Greensleeves are older people with learning disabilites who receive the statutory government allowance to provide just their basic care and support. This has not increased in line with inflation for three years. Nevertheless, Eastbourne Mencap ensures their residents' good quality of life is maintained and enhanced by raising funds. The income generated from the donated solar photovoltaic installation at Greensleeves will enable Eastbourne Mencap to continue to provide, and increase, residents' trips out to a show or concert, go bowling etc which would otherwise be difficult to afford.
We would like to thank everyone who took the time to enter the competition and we look forward to completing the installation. Keep an eye out for installation images and finally a big well done to Greensleeves who thoroughly deserve the prize!