Famous faces back winter fuel appeal

A unique charity appeal which helps older and vulnerable people across Devon living in fuel poverty, has received a welcome boost from some famous faces this week.

The Surviving Winter campaign sees people who do not need their winter fuel payment, and others, donate what they can to be passed on to those in need, helping them stay warm and well in the colder months.

And this week the national campaign has been backed by celebrities Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Michael Parkinson and Sir Terry Wogan.

Dame Helen Mirren said: "It's hard to think of the millions of people struggling to keep even one room warm as the cold weather sets in. Surviving Winter is a simple yet effective campaign which helps many people in fuel poverty - 23,000 last year - and provides everything from hot water bottles to hot dinners and help with fuel bills. I know that any donation goes straight to those in need, no matter what size or amount.”

Sophie visited Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau when her circumstances changed and she started to struggle to look after her severely disabled daughter.

She said: "I split up from my partner, my financial arrangements changed and I stopped receiving child tax credits. It is taking a long time to sort everything out and I was struggling to make ends meet.

"My daughter has Downs Syndrome, she is registered blind and has complex needs. She needs a warm home, none of this is her fault. When I found I would receive a payment it was a complete relief, it came just in time, it was a choice between heating our home or starving. It has had a huge impact, if it hadn’t been for this payment we would have been in debt, overdrawn and not been able to pay our bills.

"That payment made all the difference and stopped us slipping into a really bad situation. I am incredibly grateful to the people who donate to this fund and I hope that by telling my story it will help to make people more aware about the direct impact they can have on other people’s lives – it is just so wonderful."

People in Devon have so far donated more than £8,000 to help others locally, but as temperatures drop across the UK Devon Community Foundation aims to raise more and say there is still time for others to help.

Laura Hewitt, marketing manager for DCF, said: ‘People have been extremely generous and we would like to thank those who have donated so far. We are still accepting donations and when you read about people like Sophie from Exeter you realise the dramatic impact the appeal has on people’s lives. We are calling on anyone who can, to donate to Surviving Winter and help ensure older and vulnerable people in our communities stay warm and well this winter.’

The donations are distributed by Citizens Advice Bureaux across Devon to people in need. Clients who meet a set of criteria are awarded grants between £125- £250.

How to donate?

Visit  www.justgiving.com/DCFSurvivingWinter14 or send a cheque made out to Devon Community Foundation with a giftaid form to:

Surviving Winter
Devon Community Foundation
The Factory, Leat Street
Tiverton, EX16 5LL

Funds raised will be re-directed to elderly and vulnerable people in Devon to help them keep their homes warm and to alleviate the effects of fuel poverty.

Statistics based on Devon elderly population figures, national fuel poverty death statistics and Age UK's Fuel Poverty Devon report

*Administration costs will be taken from Gift Aid.

Photo: JStone / Shutterstock.com