My name is Lynn Griffiths, I am President/Founder of Carbon monoxide-Awareness a registered charity and founder of the national Carbon monoxide-Awareness Week. My children and I were poisoned by carbon monoxide (CO) for over a decade, we know only too well the devastating effects this silent killer can have on family life. Carbon monoxide-Awareness support those poisoned by Carbon monoxide, their families and career's. Our Details are listed with the Dept of Health, NHS direct and the HSE plus many more. Carbon monoxide (CO)-Awareness is run completely by unpaid volunteers who aim to make a difference!! Our very small charity lost its main funding stream last April and really needs your support.

I believe knowledge is the key to preventing carbon monoxide poisoning is education. In most cases of accidental poisonings, victims don't realise that Carbon monoxide was being produced or building up in the air they were breathing. Everyone needs to know about the dangers of Carbon monoxide and how to protect themselves from this silent killer. The older generation, those with heart, lung problems, pregnant mothers, unborn babies, and young children are all particularly vulnerable to Carbon monoxide dangers. The general public, medical profession (including testing at post-mortem's) and industry need to take this issue more seriously. In addition, 97,400 (census 2001) children under the age of 16 look after their loved ones at home, and the National Curriculum could do so much more to teach children about Carbon monoxide as a key life skill. 

Carbon monoxide-Awareness are keen to work with as many organisations as possible. Please help us to make every area in the UK a safer place to live by helping us to educate families all over the UK about the dangers of Carbon monoxide. Please add "our 6th national Carbon monoxide (CO)-Awareness week" which starts Monday 21st November to your diary. I believe if we all work as a team we will have a bigger impact in preventing injuries and deaths. We are playing our part in raising awareness about the danger of this silent killer. Can you do anything more to raise awareness about the dangers of Carbon Monoxide this year. I am sure you are aware that Carbon monoxide incidents are increasing. 

Some of the things we have done:

2007: Won the Plain English speaking Award for our Carbon monoxide Leaflet.

2007: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2007/gnnnw12407.htm 

2008: http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1226046261900?p=1158945065175

Nurse in Practice:

2008: http://www.nursinginpractice.com/default.asp?title=CarbonMonoxideAwarenessWeekfocuseson%22forgotten%22victims&page=article.display&article.id=14605

2009: http://www.nursinginpractice.com/default.asp?title=Carbonmonoxidecharitycallsforhealthcareprofessionals%92support&page=article.display&article.id=15948

2009-2010 Had stands at the Emergency Services Show. 

Tuesday 14th June 2011: Launched our Healthcare group and Give CO the "RED" card from the House of Lords. 
22nd and 23rd June 2011: Had a stand for two days at Ambitions 2011.
5th and 6th July 2011: Had a stand for two days at the Emergancy show Scotland.

Events will be held in the following areas during our 6th Carbon monoxide-Awareness week 2011:

*Monday 21st November. London. House of Lord.

*Tuesday 22nd November. Northern Ireland. Venue to be confirmed.

*Wednesday 23rd November. Wales. Sponsored venue needed. 

*Thursday 24th November. Scotland. Venue to be confirmed.

*Friday 25th November. Liverpool. Council Cambers.

I believe if I hadn't been poisoned by Carbon monoxide our charity would not of been here to help raise awareness about the dangers of Carbon monoxide or offer support to those poisoned by Carbon monoxide the way we do.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the most common poison in the UK today. I believe it's something which many families still know so little about. We are keen to work with as many different organisations as possible to help prevent Carbon monoxide deaths and injuries. I strongly believe by working together we may save lives and help prevent some of the long term suffering victims go through. . 

Together I believe we CAN make a real difference. Maybe you could put a link to our website www.co-awareness.org? Allowing those who want help, advice or support to contact us more quickly. This could 
help prevent some of the frustration that so many families go through due to lack of support and understanding. We are very keen to work with as many organisations as possible to help prevent Carbon monoxide incidents. We have had requests for and distributed over 200,000 copies of our award wining last year. 

I believe lives could be saved and injuries prevented from this “silent killer” if everyone worked together. Carbon monoxide Awareness is a very small charity who would appreciate your support in us helping raise awareness about the dangers of this silent killer in your area. 

The launch event for our Carbon monoxide Awareness Healthcare Group, took place at the House of Lords on Tuesday 14th June, please see attachment. The launch was well attended. However more healthcare workers are welcome to join. Especially Paramedic's (we have none from the northwest) A&E consultants, GP's, Pediatrician's and Midwives. I believe Paramedic's in Manchester have been exposed to Carbon monoxide while attending call outs in Manchester. We have been made aware of others in other areas via our healthcare group. Please see:

http://www.wirralnews.co.uk/wirral-news/local-wirral-news/2008/10/15/west-wirral-family-and-paramedics-overcome-by-toxic-gas-fumes-80491-22029684/

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/bridgend-maesteg/2010/12/30/three-in-hospital-following-carbon-monoxide-leak-91466-27904339/

If you/or anyone you know would like to discuss Carbon monoxide further or you know someone poisoned by this silent killer who needs someone to talk to please don't hesitate to contact me or pass on my contact.

Kind regards 

Lynn

Lynn Griffiths.
CO-Awareness President and Founder of the Carbon monoxide (CO)-Awareness week
Carbon monoxide (CO)-Awareness Office.
Aintree Community Fire Station,
Longmoor Lane, 
Aintree, 
Liverpool. 
L9 0EN
Registered Charity No. 1125755
NEW website under construction: www.covictim.org 
Mob: 07715899296