Dorset Community Foundation are re-launching their Surviving Winter Appeal for the eighth year in a row.
The charity raises money for those most in need in local areas by making donating to charity easy and effective.
The appeal asks people to ‘recycle’ their unwanted Winter Fuel payments to support older Dorset residents in serious fuel poverty. It is designed to address the shocking statistic that on average there are 520 excess deaths in Dorset during the winter months.
Director, Grant Robson explained: ‘Local residents could save lives by ‘recycling’ unwanted Winter Fuel allowances which all people over the age of 65 receive from the Government.
Last year, we helped 280 people, from those recovering from cancer or serious health conditions to those in poorly built or damp housing – situations only made worse by the cold.’
Mr M., one of the older people the Appeal supported, shared the difference the grant has made: “I live alone and disabled due to accident and suffer lasting effects from cancer.
“My house is cold due to two old storage heaters.
“I have no money to improve my heating or lifestyle, the cold makes my disability worse. The grant helped me deal with the added costs of trying to keep warm this winter.”
People over the age of 60 who suffer from fuel poverty are able to apply for support. This year, those over 50 can apply, as long as they meet the criteria. This includes significant health conditions, highest level of benefits or little current chance of improving life circumstances.
For more information or to find out how you can help, click here.