As residents in Bishop Auckland face a “heat or eat” dilemma this winter, County Durham Community Foundation has launched this year’s Surviving Winter campaign in a bid to help those most in need.
Cuts in government funding and rising fuel bills will leave many elderly people struggling to keep warm, with some facing a stark choice – to heat their home or buy food.
The Community Foundation is calling on those who can afford to forego their Winter Fuel Payment to donate it to the campaign, in order to help those who are at risk of freezing in the bitter temperatures this season.
During the winter months in County Durham and Darlington, an additional 280 vulnerable people die as a result of the cold and poor living conditions, with over 58,000 households in fuel poverty.
The Appeal aims to help thousands of people who are affected by the cold weather, including the elderly, those with disabilities, families with small children living in fuel poverty and the homeless.
You do not have to be in receipt of a Winter Fuel Payment to support the Appeal, all donations are welcome and will help residents of Durham and Darlington through the winter months. This will be achieved in the following ways:
1. Groups: Grants will be awarded to community and voluntary groups that run winter programmes for the elderly and vulnerable including additional food, equipment and transport.
2. Individuals: Grants will also be awarded to individuals in fuel poverty to help them purchase any of the top ten energy efficient household items.
To donate to the appeal send cheques, payable to County Durham Community Foundation, to Victoria House, Whitfield Court, Meadowfield Industrial Estate, Durham DH7 8XL, marked on the reverse with ‘Surviving Winter’.
To donate online visit www.justgiving.com/cdf/Donate/. The money raised by the appeal will be used to support older and vulnerable people across the County.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
