The popular actor and broadcaster thrilled viewers with his daredevil exploits in BBC1's 'Blue Peter' and 'Duncan Dares' but today he turned the spotlight firmly on safety as he announced that National Grid would be sponsoring the Cub Scout Home Safety Badge for two years. The announcement follows National Grid's highly successful one-year pilot sponsorship of the badge last year.
The big-hearted star took time out between performances of 'Robin Hood' at Nottingham's Royal Centre, to announce the joint National Grid and Scouting Association initiative in the shadow of Nottingham Castle. He was joined by Scout leaders within National Grid, who have received funding from the company's Employee Community Grants for their Cub Scout packs.
While on stage Mr Duncan is relishing his role as the greedy Sheriff of Nottingham, heaping up stacks of gold by taxing the poor to the hilt, off stage he was quick to praise the innovative partnership between National Grid and the Scouting Association and the investment being made by National Grid in teaching children early on how to make their homes safer.
To achieve the badge, youngsters will learn about key aspects of home safety, including gas safety, how to deal with fire, preventing accidents, and how to make a 999 call.
Peter Duncan said: "It's really good news for the Scout Association to have National Grid extend its sponsorship of the Home Safety Badge and it has been great fun to meet some of the cubs who have successfully completed the badge.
National Grid's Executive Director Gas Distribution, Mark Fairbairn said: "National Grid is proud to be asked to continue our sponsorship of the Home Safety Badge. Safety is a key issue for us and helping youngsters become aware of the importance of safety in their home environment is a very good place to start. This is an example of our commitment to the power of action showing that everyone including children can take action to make the world around them a safer place.
Last year 35,000 activity packs were sent out on our behalf. This is a tremendous take-up, and I hope that everyone who completed the pack found it fun to do. We hope that the momentum will continue this year.
The National Grid Cub Scout Home Safety Badge Activity Pack can be obtained from www.scouts.org.uk/nationalgrid.
National Grid
National Grid is a leading international energy infrastructure business - the largest utility in the UK.
Through National Grid Gas plc it owns and operates over 6,800 kilometres of high-pressure transmission pipeline across Great Britain, and 132,000 kilometres of lower-pressure distribution gas mains in the North West, the Midlands, East Anglia and North London - more than half of Britain's gas transportation network, delivering gas to around 11 million homes, offices and factories.
Through National Grid Electricity Transmission plc, the company operates the high-voltage electricity transmission network across Great Britain, and owns the network in England and Wales.
National Grid will continue to manage the National Gas Emergency Service freephone line 0800 111 999*.
*All calls are recorded and may be monitored.
Notes to editors - archive
National Grid is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world and was named Responsible Business of the Year 2014 by Business in the Community. This accolade acknowledges all of our efforts in getting involve with the things that really matter to us and to society. We own and manage the grids that connect people to the energy they need, from whatever the source. In Britain and the north-eastern states of the US we run systems that deliver gas and electricity to millions of people, businesses and communities.
In Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country. In the North Eastern US, we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles.
National Grid in the UK:
- We own the high-voltage electricity transmission network in England and Wales, operating it across Great Britain
- We own and operate the high pressure gas transmission system in Britain
- Our gas distribution business delivers gas to 10.9 million homes and businesses
- We also own a number of related businesses including LNG importation, land remediation and metering
- National Grid manages the National Gas Emergency Service free phone line on behalf of the industry - 0800 111 999 (all calls are recorded and may be monitored).
- Our portfolio of other businesses is mainly concerned with infrastructure provision and related services where we can exploit our core skills and assets to create value. These businesses operate in areas such as Metering, Grain LNG Import, Interconnectors and Property. National Grid Carbon Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid. It undertakes Carbon Capture Storage related activities on behalf of National Grid.
Find out more about the energy challenge and how National Grid is helping find solutions to some of the challenges we face at www.nationalgridconnecting.com
National Grid undertakes no obligation to update any of the information contained in this release, which speaks only as at the date of this release, unless required by law or regulation.