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NewstrAid Woolly Wednesday highlights colleagues in fuel poverty this winter

NewstrAid Woolly Wednesday highlights colleagues in fuel poverty this winter
Andy Marino
By Andy MarinoOct 23, 2025
Andy Marino
Andy was born in London just in time to see England win the World Cup, and much later began his career in academia, gaining a PhD in American Literature and lecturing at several universities, including Maryland and Gothenburg in Sweden, and pursuing a sideline in sheep-farming before moving back to London and becoming a literary agent and TV documentary-maker (working for various broadcasters and making series such as the BBC’s Monsoon Railway, set in Bengal). He has written several biographies, including the Second World War story American Pimpernel, and became the official biographer of India’s Prime Minister (then Chief Minister of Gujarat) publishing Narendra Modi, a Political Biography (Harper Collins). Andy joined Asian Media Group in 2018, his first “proper” job, and has been there ever since, believing that, while trade journalism might not save the world, it might just save journalism.
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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

“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," said Neil Jagger, CEO for NewstrAid. "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: www.newstraid.org.uk/woollyweds25

neil jaggernewstraid

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