KEETCH SUPPORTS LAUNCH OF THE ONE PLANET LIVING AWARDS

2.21.00pm GMT Tue 12th Feb 2008

Paul Keetch, MP for Hereford, is proud to support the launch of B&Q's major new community awards - the One Planet Living Awards (OPL).

Commenting, the MP said, "The OPL Awards will allow community-based projects to secure up to £10,000 of B&Q products under the new scheme if they can demonstrate how their activities will support one of the following themes:

• The Environment/energy saving: projects which will help contribute to the health of the planet through the reduction of energy use or actively try to limit their environmental footprint

• Natural habitats and wildlife: projects which will support, protect and celebrate the natural habitats in local communities including meadows, wetlands, chalk rivers and forests

• Local culture/heritage: projects which will support, enhance and celebrate valuable aspects of local culture and heritage including its roots and traditions, local buildings, local building techniques, local produce and local arts and crafts

B&Q has given the Awards this focus to help customers understand what One Planet Living is all about. Very simply, One Planet Living has determined that to maintain our current way of life in the UK, we would need three planets but as we all know, we have only one. We all have to lower our impact on the planet."

In an effort to begin that change, B&Q is working in partnership with environmental impact experts BioRegional, who have developed this global initiative based on ten guiding principles, to become a One Planet business and B&Q is aiming to help its customers do the same in their homes.

B&Q has identified the environment/energy saving, natural habitats & wildlife and local culture/heritage as key areas from the ten guiding OPL principles where its customers can make a real and tangible impact on their community.

B&Q One Planet Living Awards of between £1,000 and £10,000 of B&Q product will be awarded to organisations across the UK and Ireland. In addition, B&Q is offering two awards of £5,000 combined cash/product to schools who submit innovative science-based proposals, showing a real understanding about the environment and the importance of tackling climate change.

The One Planet Living Awards build on the long and well-established heritage of B&Q's community programme which has supported more than 13,000 projects and injected around £3.5 million into local communities during the last thirteen years.

To apply for an award, visit www.diy.com/awards to download an application form, or alternatively, call the B&Q application hotline number on 0845 300 1001.