Direct Energy To Sponsor Inaugural Children's Hospital Of Pittsburgh's Fashionista

Pittsburgh, PA (11/9/2011) - Direct Energy will be a proud sponsor of the first ever Family Life Auxiliary of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation's Fashionista! this Saturday, November 12, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. The Fashionista! will be held at the Duquesne Club and will include a fashion show, as well as a live auction. This afternoon of fun will also feature local boutiques, including CAbi and Macy's clothing lines. Just in the past year, Direct Energy has sponsored in-house events for patients and their families such as a carnival, Field Day and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC's first prom. Most recently, Direct Energy sponsored Children's Hospital's Golf Classic at Laurel Valley Country Club.

"Direct Energy is proud to be a sponsor of the first ever Fashionista! and we are excited to work in conjunction with Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation on another great event." says Cory Byzewski, Vice President and General Manager of Direct Energy Residential US North. "We fully support Children's and the services it provides for its patients and their families. Our sponsorship is a great way to show our appreciation for the organization and all that they do."

"Putting patients and families first is a core value here at Children's Hospital. We are thrilled that Direct Energy has partnered with us to support our Family Life program through Fashionista!, which enables us to continue to put patients and families first," said Greg Barrett, President, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation.

The hospital's doctors and nurses will be on-hand modeling the latest fashions and proceeds will go to the Family Life Auxiliary fund at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation in support of education and activities for families of children who have been or are currently being hospitalized at Children's.

About Direct Energy

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with more than 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE:CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 45 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada.

About Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation Family Life Auxiliary

The Family Life Auxiliary of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation is a network of volunteers committed to raising funds to support activities and programs for patients and their families during their hospital stay. Beyond activities and programming, this support helps to educate and better prepare caregivers to be full partners in their child's care.

For additional information, contact:

Nicole Salem
Direct Energy
1-412-667-6128
Nicole.Salem@directenergy.com

Julie Hendry
Direct Energy
1-412-925-6773
julie.hendry@directenergy.com