Helping elderly people to keep warm in winter (From Salisbury Journal)

Helping elderly people to keep warm in winter

1:04pm Monday 4th February 2013 in Headlines By Morwenna Blake

OLDER people are especially at risk during the cold winter months and a Wiltshire Charity is running a campaign encouraging others to help make sure they are safe and warm.

Many people struggle to pay their heating bills and the Wiltshire Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter appeal is asking those who receive the Government’s Winter Fuel Payments, but don’t need them, to donate them to those less fortunate.

There are 35,500 households in Wiltshire classed as living in fuel poverty (spending at least 10 per cent of household income on fuel), half of which include someone over the age of 60.

Since the Surviving Winter campaign was launched in November it has raised £23,000 but the foundation is hoping to raise still more.

One of those to benefit is Myra Keepance from Durrington, who is in her late 70s.

She said: “I cannot afford to fill my oil tank all in one go. It has nearly run out again and I would not have been able to order any more had it not been for the grant from the Community Foundation.

“I was so grateful that my Wiltshire Good Neighbour coordinator helped me with the application. Now I will be able to have my heating on again.”

For more information on how to donate or apply for a grant, please call 01380 729284 or go to wscf.org.uk.