12 employees from Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) will all run the Great Birmingham Run on 13th October 2019 to raise money for Groundwork. 

Both ESC and Groundwork run pioneering programmes of work protecting those in fuel poverty in the UK. According to a recent government survey, 2.53 million households (10.9% of UK occupants), are suffering from fuel poverty.

Conventional approaches to ‘protecting’ the fuel poor have focused on the needs of the energy system, not those of the consumer, with interventions rooted in regulation and policy, rarely tapping into innovation. ESC 'Fair Futures' programme explores the opportunities for innovation to address fuel poverty, and better understand the issues faced by vulnerable energy consumer groups in the UK.

All money raised will go to directly support a local affordable warmth project (There's no place like home) in the West Midlands focused on supporting people returning home from hospital stays:

There's no place like home: Groundwork West Midlands and Home from Hospital Care will work together to deliver affordable warmth support to people returning home from hospital. 500 people will receive in-depth advice and advocacy support, a further 800 people will receive energy literacy information and 400 households will benefit from the installation of small energy saving measures.

Groundwork is a charity working to transform lives in the UK’s most disadvantaged communities.We’re passionate about creating a future where every neighbourhood is vibrant and green, every community is strong and able to shape its own destiny and no-one is held back by their background or circumstances.We help people gain confidence and skills, get into training and work, protect and improve green spaces, lead more active lives and overcome significant challenges such as poverty, isolation, low skills and poor health.