Due to the success of last year’s ‘firmus energy 3K giveaway’, the natural gas company has decided to once again offer charity, church and community groups in the area the chance to receive an early Christmas present and apply for a share of a £3000 giveaway.
Firmus energy, the company supplying 12 major towns and cities across Northern Ireland has decided to ‘gift’ organisations in the area with monetary contributions towards items and services to benefit the entire group.
Mark Prentice, general manager for firmus energy explains: “We were delighted with the response to this initiative which we ran for the first time last year. More than 230 groups applied for a share of the money and, with many organisations asking for less than £100, we were able to help 172 different groups across the areas in which we operate. We recognise that charities and community groups often operate on a small budget and tend to only have enough to buy things that they really need and nothing for things they would really like. Many groups wrote to us and said what a difference small items like new soft cushions for chairs can make, but that things like this can be beyond their financial reach.
“Although we do everything we can to minimise disruption while putting in our natural gas network, there will always be some disturbance. Through this donation, we aim to give something back to the communities in which we operate.
“Our £3000 donation is to be divided amongst charity, church and community groups in Ballymoney and is open to all non-funded organisations. It does not matter how small your request is, but the maximum a group can request is £1000. So whether you require money to purchase a kettle for your group to make tea or coffee for members, or funds to buy equipment; this offer is open to you.
“If you are interested in a donation on behalf of your group, simply write to firmus energy, Ballymoney Giveaway, c/o DCP, Bamford House, 91-93 Saintfield Road, Belfast, BT8 7HN. Please give brief details of the following; name and type of organisation (e.g. charity, church group), what funds you require and how you plan to spend the money, the number of members in your group, the age range of your members, where your group is based and anything else you feel may be relevant. It is vital that you include a section which gives details of the name of the Council in which the group is located and a contact name, address and telephone number. Closing date for submissions is Friday 17 October 2008.
“A selection panel including a representative from firmus energy, the Council and the Ballymoney Times will review all applications and will let you know our decision. Good luck and we look forward to hearing from you!”
Firmus energy is already bringing the cost and environmental benefits of natural gas to customers in Ballymena, Derry, Limavady, Coleraine, Ballymoney, Antrim, Craigavon, Lurgan, Banbridge and Newry and is currently connecting customers in Armagh and Portadown.
Customers interested in learning more about natural gas can access information on www.firmusenergy.co.uk or alternatively call the care-line on 08456 08 00 88.