A GROUP set up by a grieving mum to save lives has won a major national award for its work.

The Kirklees Carbon Monoxide Awareness Group (KCOAG) won the award for Best Gas Safety Initiative at the annual awards of gas safety watchdog Corgi.

This year’s awards, which recognise those who have made a significant contribution to gas safety, were held at a glittering ceremony at the Ricoh Stadium in Coventry.

Paul Goodwin, a gas surveyor for Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, accepted the award on behalf of the group.

KCOAG formed two years ago to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide and to encourage people to have their appliances regularly serviced.

One of its members is Huddersfield mum Stacey Rodgers, who lost her 10-year-old son Dominic to carbon monoxide poisoning four years ago.

Since then, Stacey, of Deighton, has set up the Dominic Rodgers Trust in his memory and has campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness of carbon monoxide and to help prevent further tragedies.

She said: “Since I lost my Dominic, I’ve been working to raise awareness about the dangers of this deadly gas.

“The group has done so much to help spread the message about CO and how to prevent it and it’s really great that our hard work has been recognised.

“We’ve got even more planned for the next 12 months and I’m hopeful that we can help make sure Kirklees doesn’t have any more victims.”

KCOAG is also made up of staff from Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH), Sadeh Lok Housing Association and PH Jones. Corgi representatives provide technical expertise and Northern Gas Networks and Kirklees Council have also provided valuable support for the campaign.

The group was the first group of its kind in the country, and its work so far has included a major bus advertising campaign, several community events and working with people in other parts of the country on carbon monoxide awareness.

This year they have raised nearly £40,000 to help fund another regional awareness campaign, sponsor a programme aimed at primary school children, and develop a campaign toolkit that will be freely available to other organisations interested in carbon monoxide awareness raising.

Because of the group’s success, they were visited last year by health and safety minister Lord McKenzie, who came to see what lessons could be learned by other organisations.

Martin Garbutt, Corgi Business Support Manager and member of KCOAG, said: “Kirklees have done an amazing amount to raise the awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide and I am proud to be part of that group.

“You cannot be complacent but simple steps such as having regular safety checks on all gas, oil, wood burning cookers, stoves and fires can help, as can using an audible carbon monoxide alarm.”

It is the second year running that the group has been awarded with the best safety initiative accolade.

Clr Liz Smaje, Kirklees Council’s lead member for housing, added: “The success of the campaign proves just how much can be achieved when people from different organisations work together on a common cause.

“It’s an excellent example of partnership working and the team is to be congratulated for their achievements.”