A NEW Scheme is calling on businesses to raise £10,000 for carbon monoxide detectors to protect vulnerable and elderly people in their homes.

The Bobby Scheme, funded by The Blue Lamp Trust, a non-profit organisation based in Eastleigh, is asking the businesses across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to support the scheme.

Known as the 'silent killer', carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that cannot be seen or smelt without a detector, putting lives at risk, especially as fires and boilers which run on gas or oil are switched on for the winter.

The money will be spent on getting the detectors fitted in people's homes as the trust says fitting one 'remains the best way to protect family and homes against CO poisoning'.

Running in conjunction with 'Monoxide Awareness Week', the Bobby Scheme plans to raise £10,000 this winter to buy and install up to 800 CO detectors across the region.

Theresa Pratt, General Manager of the Blue Lamp Trust, said: “We are running this appeal in conjunction with CO Awareness Week and Energy UK’s “CO – Be Alarmed” campaign to reduce the number of deaths and injuries that happen every year due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

“If we can raise enough for 800 detectors, that means we can provide our service throughout the winter when the risk from CO is at its height.”

Supported by the emergency services and local authorities, The Bobby Scheme provides a free service to elderly and vulnerable people, promoting crime prevention, home security and fire safety initiatives.

Qualified Bobby Scheme fitters visit homes to give safety advice and, if necessary, fit CO detectors free of charge in the most effective places around the home to offer 'the greatest' protection for residents.