10 September 2009
Media Statement
Generous response to curtain appeal
Community Energy Action’s (CEA) Curtain Bank has fitted nearly 17% more free, recycled curtains in the homes of
vulnerable people on low incomes than at the same time last year. The growth, which reflects a growing awareness of the
need to keep homes warm, has been made possible by more generous donations of curtains by the public than ever before.
“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the public this year,” says Gayle Katene, CEA’s Curtain Bank coordinator.
“We don’t know whether it is the recession that has made people more aware of the need in our community but this year we
have been donated larger quantities of curtains than previous years. Many are very good quality curtains.”
“It’s been a very cold winter and many people on low incomes have struggled to pay power bills to keep warm,” says Bede
Martin, CE of Community Energy Action. “With many people using CEA’s services having health conditions it has been very
rewarding to help some of these with good curtains that will keep warmth in. The more curtains we receive, the better we
can help households on low incomes. When people are replacing curtains we are very grateful to receive the old ones for
the Curtain Bank.”
In 2009, to the end of August, the Curtain Bank handed out more than 3,700 m2 of free, recycled curtains. “These would
cover nearly eight netball courts,” says Gayle.
Almost 300 households were assisted with free curtains, roughly the same as last year. In contrast to previous years the
Curtain Bank has also fitted curtains in many bedrooms. “We recognize that warmer bedrooms can help people stay
healthier during winter,” says Mr Martin.
While the Curtain Bank closes for summer, donation of curtains can be made year-round at Community Energy Action, 198
Armagh St
Community Energy Action is a charitable trust concerned with achieving energy efficiency and affordable warmth for all
households. CEA installs insulation and heating with government subsidies for all homes built before 2000 with higher
subsidy rates for Community Services Card holders It also runs the Canterbury Home Energy Advice Centre (HEAC), a free
and impartial energy efficiency phone line. The Curtain Bank is funded with curtain donations from the public and
surpluses made by CEA’s insulation and other projects.
CEA can be contacted on phone 374 5698 or www.cea.co.nz. The HEAC can be contacted on 0800 388588 (Monday to Friday 10am
– 4pm).