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Greater Manchester primary schools to compete to win solar panels

news release

Primary schools across Greater Manchester are being urged to take part in a competition to win solar panels, crowd-funded by Friends of the Earth supporters.   The competition invites pupils to submit creative entries, such as artwork or film, demonstrating why they’d love their school to be powered by solar energy.

The winning school, chosen by public vote at the start of the new year, will receive a solar installation free of charge. The panels will make thousands of pounds every year for the school – meaning more to spend on playgrounds, libraries and trips.

It’s the first time that Friends of the Earth has crowd-funded a renewable energy project. Its new Run on Sun campaign, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, aims to make it easier for schools to benefit through solar power.

Manchester Friends of the Earth lead energy campaigner Ali Abbas said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for schools across Greater Manchester to save thousands of pounds through clean energy, and for young people to learn about solar power. Whether it’s your children’s school or the one you went to years ago, nominate it for the chance to win – and be quick!”

ENDS

Contacts for comment:

Ali Abbas, Manchester Friends of the Earth, 07786 090520 

Lyndsey Fall, Manchester Friends of the Earth, Press Officer lyndsey@manchesterfoe.org.uk

Notes to editor

1. Entries are to be submitted online only, as photographs, film, or slideshows. They will be showcased in a gallery on Friends of the Earth’s website. For more information and to enter, visit: https://www.foe.co.uk/go/solarcompetition. Competition closes 15 December 2014.

2.  To nominate a school to take part in the competition, visit: https://www.foe.co.uk/go/nominateschool. Nominations close 24 October 2014.

3. To donate to help crowd-fund solar panels for the winning school, and to help make it easier for many more schools to run on sun in future, visit https://www.foe.co.uk/page/run-on-sun-donate.

4. Photos and logo available at: http://photolibrary.foe.co.uk/?c=1118&k=bf674c2480***

5. Friends of the Earth’s Run on Sun campaign aims to make it easier for schools to install solar panels and save thousands of pounds through clean energy. Our research shows that schools could save up to £8,000 per year with solar panels – more money to spend on other things. But many schools struggle to afford the upfront costs of solar panels, which is why Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to allow schools to borrow funds. Schools are the first step in making better use of clean energy all over the UK. To join the campaign visit www.foe.co.uk/runonsun.

6. About People’s Postcode Lottery:

· People’s Postcode Lottery is a charity lottery. Players play with their postcodes to win cash prizes while raising money for charities and good causes local to them.

· People’s Postcode Lottery players support the following Trusts which are funded entirely by players and support a variety of good causes such as: Postcode Green Trust, Postcode Care Trust, Postcode Culture Trust, Postcode Animal Trust, Postcode Heroes Trust, Postcode Global Trust and People’s Postcode Trust. For further information on each charity, visit: www.postcodelottery.co.uk/charities

 · 50p from every £2 ticket goes to good causes and players have raised over £43.3 Million for good causes across the country

· There are five draws a month with prizes every day and each ticket costs £2 – paid monthly in advance by direct debit. For further prize information, visit: www.postcodelottery.co.uk/prizes

 ·  For further information about the People’s Postcode Lottery  and how players can sign up visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk

7. Manchester Friends of the Earth is an award-winning environmental campaign group, raising awareness and lobbying for policy changes at a local, regional, national and international level. The group consists entirely of volunteers, and its campaigns are funded by membership fees and individual donations. Up-to-date information is available on the group’s website: www.manchesterfoe.org.uk Manchester Friends of the  Earth is a Licensed Local Group of Friends of the Earth, England, Wales  and Northern Ireland.

8. Manchester Friends of the Earth has endorsed Manchester: A Certain Future, an action plan for the city of Manchester to cut its carbon emissions by at least  41% by 2020. For more information, visitwww.manchesterclimate.com

 

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