NewstrAid’s Woolly Wednesday highlights support for colleagues in fuel poverty this winter

As the UK faces an ongoing energy crisis, with over 6 million households reportedly living in fuel poverty according to National Energy Action*, NewstrAid is calling on everyone across the newspaper and magazine industry to come together and support Woolly Wednesday on 29th October 2025.

Fuel poverty is defined as spending more than 10% of household income on energy bills – a reality for millions of families across the country. NewstrAid’s Welfare Manager, Katie Babooram, said; “Energy bills are currently around double what they were just two years ago, and for countless families, unaffordable bills and the reality of living in cold, and often damp conditions have become an everyday struggle.”

What is Woolly Wednesday?

Woolly Wednesday is an awareness and fundraising day created by industry charity NewstrAid, to highlight the support available to people from the newstrade community who are struggling to cover the cost of heating during the winter.

The 2025 campaign coincides with the distribution of NewstrAid’s Winter Comfort Grant, which provides around 350 beneficiaries with a financial boost to help with heating costs during the colder months.

How can people take part?

Taking part in Woolly Wednesday is simple and fun. NewstrAid is asking people across the industry to do at least one of the following:

1. Wear something woolly – a jumper, cardigan, scarf, hat, or even gloves – and share a selfie online using #NewstrAidWoollyWednesday and #WearShareCare.
2. Share: NewstrAid’s posts on social media to spread awareness of the charity’s work.
3. Care: Support the cause by entering the charity’s Christmas Raffle, which helps raise vital funds for those in need. https://www.newstraid.org.uk/xmas2025/

Why it matters

Neil Jagger, CEO for NewstrAid, added: “Woolly Wednesday is more than a fun excuse to wear your favourite jumper – it’s about standing together as an industry to support colleagues who are struggling to stay warm this winter. Every share, raffle ticket and donation helps us continue our work in tackling the impact of fuel poverty across the newstrade community.”

Event details

• Woolly Wednesday Date: Wednesday 29th October 2025
• Christmas Raffle Draw: Monday 1st December 2025, at NewstrAid’s Carol Service Reception
• More information: newstraid.org.uk/woollyweds25

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Notes to Editors

• NewstrAid is the only charity dedicated to supporting people from the UK’s newstrade sector.
• For media enquiries, please contact Lindsay Rule: lindsay@newstraid.org.uk Tel: 01279 879569
• Registered Charity No. 1116824

About NewstrAid

NewstrAid is a charity which aims to provide welfare for people who are, or have been, employed in the selling and distribution of newspapers and magazines in the UK and who find themselves in hardship. This includes their immediate family and dependants who are in need or in distress. The charity has been in existence since 1839 and counts Charles Dickens amongst its past presidents. In 2023 the charity was named ‘Charity of the Year’ at the ACO Awards.  www.newstraid.org.uk

*For more information about National Energy Action, visit: https://www.nea.org.uk/