With the rise of fuel prices and the looming flu season, generous Cumbrians are being asked to help local vulnerable older people keep warm and well this winter.
To launch this year’s Winter Warmth Appeal, run by Cumbria Community Foundation, some of Cumbria’s most senior figures in business swapped a warm, comfortable bed for Honister Slate Mine to highlight the ongoing struggle many elderly Cumbrians face to keep warm every night.
The annual appeal makes sure that older people who may have to choose between heating and eating, can stay warm and well throughout the colder months.
Andy Beeforth, chief executive of Cumbria Community Foundation spent a night shivering alongside David Beeby, the High Sheriff of Cumbria, Soo Redshaw, business coach and charity trustee, Sarah Dunning, chair of Westmorland, Richard Rankin, chief executive of H&H Group, and Mark Cant, co-founder and sales director of The Cumbrian Tea and Cumbrian Coffee Co Lt
Cumbria Community Foundation is the leading independent grant-making charity in the county and its annual Winter Warmth Appeal has raised more than £1.3 million since 2010 in a bid to protect some of the most vulnerable members of communities.
Mark said: “Tonight I’m feeling a bit like a non-celebrity going into the jungle on I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here with the Cumbrian business royalty, I’m honoured to have been invited to undertake such an important event with Cumbria Community Foundation for a very worthwhile cause. It is one of the hidden issues in this rural county which greatly affects the health and wellbeing of those who cannot heat their homes.”
One in 10 households in Cumbria currently live in fuel poverty, meaning that they spend more than 10 per cent of their income on fuel. In most winters, 300 older Cumbrians die because of problems associated with not being able to heat their homes or eat properly. In worse winters, the figure has risen to 500.
David said: “I am delighted to be a part of highlighting the need for the Winter Warmth Appeal. The origin of this appeal was a generous donor who wanted to redistribute his winter fuel payment to those in real need.
“Sadly this year the need will be greater than ever. Like him there will be many of us who receive the payment and who are fortunate enough not to need it. If you are in that position why not donate it to the Winter Warmth Appeal and double the value.”
This year, any donation made between Monday November 15 and noon Monday December 13 will be doubled thanks to the foundation’s match fund pledgers WCF Ltd, the John Laing Charitable Trust, Roselands Trust, the Johnson Fund, Brian and Ann Clark Fund, the Harvey Family Fund and a private donor.
Last year, more than a thousand Cumbrians were helped to keep warm, after Cumbrians donated over £200,000 to the appeal.
To donate online, visit https://cumbriafoundation.enthuse.com/cf/winter-warmth-appeal
Alternatively, cheques can be made payable to Cumbria Community Foundation (write Winter Warmth on the back) and post to Cumbria Community Foundation, Dovenby Hall, Dovenby, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0PN. Donations can also be made over the phone by calling 01900 825760 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
