The North East’s Maria Wardrobe has been presented with her OBE this week at Windsor Castle in recognition of her outstanding contribution to fighting fuel poverty. For 26 years Maria worked with Newcastle based charity, National Energy Action (NEA), committing her career to changing the lives of people who live in cold, damp and unhealthy homes.
Commenting after the ceremony, Maria said:
“It was an honour to be presented with my OBE by Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. It was also a privilege to speak to him during the ceremony. He showed a genuine interest in tackling fuel poverty and was very aware of the challenges people will face this winter heating their homes given the recent rise in energy prices. Over the 26 years I worked at NEA helping those in fuel poverty, it seems they will need more help than ever. I am now a Trustee of the charity and I look forward to continuing to raise awareness of the need to help more people keep warm and safe in their homes”.
Adam Scorer, Chief Executive of NEA said:
“’I am delighted for Maria. She is enormously dedicated and passionate about ending fuel poverty and has been campaigning for decades, At a time when so many people are worried about soaring energy costs this winter, we all need to harness her persistence and spirit to ensure more people can heat their homes”.
ENDS
Notes
- This release was issued by National Energy Action. For more information contact Anna Cook, Head of Communications on 07884371913 / anna.cook@nea.org.uk
- NEA is the national fuel poverty charity, working to ensure that everyone in England, Wales and Northern Ireland can stay warm and safe at home. www.nea.org.uk
- On 3rd December 2021, NEA warned average domestic energy bills have soared by over £230 per customer compared to last winter. NEA also warned the average household gas bill could increase by £467 compared to October 2020. This means that the cost of heating the average home will have doubled since last winter.
