Older people in Cumbria need your donations this winter so they don’t have to choose between heating and eating.
In a bad winter, 300 older people in Cumbria die due to effects of the cold. The Winter Warmth Appeal, run by Cumbria Community Foundation, collects people’s warm generosity and gives it back out to vulnerable older people to ensure they can heat their homes properly and remain safe and well during the colder months.
Age UK Carlisle & Eden and Age UK South Lakeland have seen an increase in demand for support this winter and have already distributed £45,000, which was raised as part of the Winter Warmth Appeal.
Hannah Kitching, Age UK South Lakeland, said: “The Winter Warmth Fund can be a lifesaver for hundreds of older people. A cold home can be a real danger for many of our vulnerable clients. The extra money the fund provides means that older people no longer have to choose between eating and remaining warm. This is often the sad reality that leads to many avoidable hospital admissions.”
A 73 year old from Windermere doesn’t have to worry about putting the heating on this winter: “The Winter Warmth grant gave me peace of mind, for which I am very grateful. It was the last thing I expected. It will help me in a lot of ways, especially in terms of my health. It makes me feel safer as my house can now be warm, so my joints feel better and I won’t be in as much pain.”
A recipient from Eden said: “I am able to put the heating on during the winter without worrying about the cost. The grant was very useful during the “Beast from the East” in February and March this year.”
A spokesperson for Age UK Carlisle and Eden, said: “The Winter Warmth grant is a godsend to many older people who during the winter are faced with the terrible choice of keeping warm or eating. We deal with many clients who live in remote areas in old properties which do not have insulation and are not on the mains gas network, so they are reliant on expensive types of fuel such as oil or solid fuel”.
Any online donations to the Winter Warmth Appeal this week will be DOUBLED as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2018, which runs from midday on 27 November to midday on 4 December.
The Big Give Christmas Challenge is the UK’s biggest online match funding campaign which helps UK-registered charities raise funds for their cause. It offers supporters of participating charities the opportunity to have their DONATION DOUBLED on theBigGive.org.uk website when the campaign goes live at midday on #GivingTuesday, 27 November 2018.
Annalee Holliday, Grants & Donor Services and Communications Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “During the last eight years, the Winter Warmth Appeal has raised almost £700,000 – we know Cumbrians are well known for their community spirit. We are calling on their warm generosity again to help us raise even more money this year by doubling their donation during the Christmas Challenge week.”
For more information or to make a donation go to:
https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/project/cumbriawinterwarmth
Giving Tuesday is on Tuesday 27 November this year and promotes giving money, time or thanks for charities all across the world.
