Friday, 23 June 2006

Turner congratulates Contact Energy

United Future deputy leader Judy Turner has congratulated Contact Energy for its donation of $60,000 to insulate the homes of elderly residents in Christchurch.

"I am extremely pleased to see that a private company such as Contact Energy is willing to make the effort to make a difference in the community," Mrs Turner said. "This shows tremendous community leadership and compassion for the elderly."

Contact Energy's donation to the Christchurch Community Energy Action Trust is spread over two years and will help to subsidise the insulation retrofit of 1000 homes per year.

"A lot of elderly people still live in older family or wooden homes that do not contain insulation and are notoriously expensive to heat. Couple this with the need to buy food and seek medical care and many elderly people just cannot afford to heat their homes.

"This year electricity prices have for the first time become the number one concern for elderly people in New Zealand. Many are so concerned that they are simply not switching on the heater.

"This initiative by Contact Energy which is similar to those that other energy suppliers around the country have instituted is a responsible and commendable action and will no doubt make a difference to the annual winter sufferings of many elderly residents," concluded Mrs Turner.

ENDS

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