Photo opportunity: 2.45pm Wednesday 28 February 2007, The Women’s Library, Old Castle Street, London E1 7NT. Hayley Westenra and other WEN matrons Maria Adebowale, Jo Fairley, Sandra Gidley MP and Emily Thornberry MP (TBC) meet for the first time at WEN AGM.

Young singer Hayley Westenra has become a ‘matron’ of Women’s Environmental Network, using her growing public profile to help boost membership of the charity.

She will meet fellow matrons for the first time at WEN’s AGM next Wednesday, 28 February 2007. The event, also a chance for trustees, staff, volunteers and members to ‘meet the matrons’, is being held at The Women’s Library in Old Castle Street, London E1.

Other prominent women who have lent their names in the way patrons do for other charities are Maria Adebowale, Director of Capacity Global, a social enterprise specialising in environmental equality, diversity, community participation and sustainable development; Jo Fairley, founder of Green & Black’s organic chocolate company; Sandra Gidley, Liberal Democrat MP for Romsey; Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for South East England, Penney Poyzer, eco expert and TV presenter; and Emily Thornberry, Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury. Maria, Jo, Sandra and Emily (tbc) will be at the meeting.

Hayley said: “When I first spotted WEN’s website I thought "wow! This organisation really stands for things I’m passionate about – I’ve just got to join this group of like-minded people. I’d urge any woman who is concerned about issues like climate change, excessive waste, poor quality food and chemicals that are harming health and the environment to join WEN and support their campaigns."

An urgent appeal for £20,000 from new memberships and donations will be launched at the AGM. WEN Chair, Sue Buckingham, explained: “We’ve got some grants for our campaigns and work with local groups but these don’t cover the essential work we do, while other campaigns such as new work on climate change are not funded at all at the moment. The popularity of our website shows people are really interested in what we do – but we simply can’t keep going unless they support us by joining or making donations.”

People can join or donate online at www.wen.org.uk or over the phone on 020 7481 9004.
ENDS

For further information please contact:
Re WEN - Liz Sutton, Communications Co-ordinator, 020 7481 9004
Re Hayley - Tony Woods, Press Manager, Umusic, 020 7471 5082

Notes to editors:
1. WEN is a national membership charity that campaigns on environment and health issues from a women’s perspective.

2. Hayley Westenra was born in New Zealand and hit the world stage with her first album, Pure, made when she was just 15 years old. Pure has so far sold 2 million copies. Her new album, Treasure, a collection of traditional, classical and new songs is released in the UK on 26 February by Universal Music (Decca Music Group). For more about her see www.hayleywestenra.com

3. For biographies of the other matrons, www.wen.org.uk/general_pages/matrons.htm