Timothy Au, from Edinburgh, and John Rajczakowski, from Falkirk, have won the regional prizes for our annual kids' carbon monoxide (CO) safety competition.
Organised by the UK’s four gas distribution networks (SGN, Cadent, Northern Gas Networks, and Wales & West Utilities) and supported by the Energy Networks Association, the competition calls for creative young people aged five to 11 to help raise awareness of CO poisoning.
We received some fantastic entries in this year’s competition from school children, Beavers, and Cubs across our Scottish and southern England network area. Entries ranged from videos, presentations, posters, cartoons and poems, all designed to warn of the dangers of the ‘silent killer’.
Timothy, who attends The Royal High Primary School in Edinburgh, created a powerful and informative poster highlighting the dangers and symptoms of CO poisoning, to win the regional award for students aged five to seven.
Being a regional winner, he won £150 for himself and £300 for his school.
When receiving his prize, Timothy’s teacher, Linda McKee, told us: “Our school enjoyed learning about carbon monoxide and were very interested in finding out about how to keep safe.
“The children loved making their own posters to convey this information to others. Timothy was over the moon when he found out he had won, and his class were equally enthusiastic. We are very proud of Timothy and we are looking to use the prize money awarded to the school to further the teaching of STEM.”
John, aged 11 from Falkirk, attends the 93rd Braes Scouts in Falkirk and won the regional award for students aged eight to 11. He created an engaging stop motion video using Lego characters to teach people about the dangers of the ‘silent killer’ and how to keep themselves and their families safe at home. He received £150 for himself and £300 for his Scout group.
On receiving his prize, John told us: “I took part in this competition because I wanted to express my own way of filmmaking and teach some safety skills too.
"I'm very happy that I won the regional prize. This has now showed me that if I work hard, I can accomplish great things and help others.”
Our Social Impact Project Lead Dan Edwards said: “Along with the other gas network companies, we were impressed by creative entries that were submitted to this year’s competition and we hope that the process involved has helped the students, their households, schools and organisations, to recognise the potential dangers of CO.
“CO has no smell, taste or colour and lives are lost every year because of CO poisoning. It’s through awareness initiatives like this competition that safety messages such as getting gas appliances safety checked every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the need for an audible CO alarm can reach more people across the UK and save lives.”
To be in with a chance of winning next year’s competition, click here for all the information you need.
