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Community foundations, supported by Saga Magazine, are running the appeal to help thousands of vulnerable and older people affected by fuel poverty.  The appeal formally launched on November 10.

Community foundations all over the UK are co-ordinating the campaign.  What they collect, thanks to the generosity of the British public, is targeted directly to help those locally who struggle to stay safe through the winter.

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Why we need this appeal

With rising fuel bills and the prospect of another cold winter, older and vulnerable people are at risk.  5.4 million households are living in fuel poverty. Almost half of those living in fuel poverty are aged over 60.

Each year around 20,000 more people aged 65 or over die in winter months than in other months.  Last winter there were an estimated 25,400 excess winter deaths.

Cold weather exacerbates coronary and respiratory illnesses, illnesses associated with older people. For every winter-related death there will be dozens of people suffering illness and hardship. Choice between eating and heating, isolation and depression are all factors.

Where does the money go?

All the money raised is used for the direct benefit of older and vulnerable people who are suffering because of fuel poverty. The money supports those most in need of help and makes sure they can afford to stay warm, eat well and remain mobile, as well as help them in practical ways such as ensuring they can make doctor’s appointments, get to the shops, and maintain an active social life.

Every single pound donated will reach someone facing fuel poverty this winter. It will get there through small local charitable organisations working with older and vulnerable people - local stroke clubs, lunch clubs, community centres, community transport schemes and faith groups.

Community foundations are embedded in communities across the UK so know these local charities well, and are confident they can assess which individuals face winter hardship.

Administrative costs for the campaign will be taken from the Gift Aid claimed back on the donation  - so every pound donated is recycled back to those who need it.

Who will the appeal support? How?

Older and vulnerable people who demonstrably need extra support - they may be living alone, finding it hard to afford their fuel bills, struggle with the cold and feel isolated - unable to go out or reluctant to let others see their living conditions. Local organisations are ideally placed to reach them through their existing networks. For some people, funding might provide access to a regular lunch club providing warmth, company and a hot meal. For others it might provide crucial changes to their home - draught proofing, window repairs - and for others it might be a more efficient heater or help with fuel bills.

Quotes from our celebrity supporters
 

"To think of people dying of cold in this country because they can’t afford enough heating is really distressing and if I can help make a difference I am very happy to support Saga’s call on behalf of the Surviving Winter appeal.”
Sir Bruce Forsyth

“I will be the first to donate my Winter Fuel Payment to the Surviving Winter Appeal. This small gesture is such an easy and obvious way to support local people in real need and I hope others will follow suit.”
Ann Widdecombe
 
“This is an excellent way for local people to help some of the most vulnerable older people in their area.  I’ll certainly pass my payment on, and encourage everybody who can, to contribute towards it.”
Sir Terry Wogan

This is a marvellous initiative and it gives everyone, including those who receive the winter fuel payment, the opportunity to help older people in our local community who struggle with their winter heating bills. I will certainly be donating my winter fuel allowance when it comes through this winter. This campaign is targeting only those who can really afford to give.”
Dickie Davies

"When I heard about the Surviving Winter Appeal I wanted to be involved and was happy to donate because I believe passionately that we need to support the vulnerable and elderly in our local communities. Those who can afford to should be encouraged to help those more in need and it is wonderful to be part of such a caring initiative right across the country just before Christmas."
Dame Helen Mirren

"A great many senior citizens in Britain need the Winter Fuel Allowance and many constituents contact me about high fuel prices, but I have also been approached by many people who feel it's not right and proper they receive it because they don't need it.
This is why I met with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation and subsequently the national Community Foundation Network to help propose and support this scheme.
I'm delighted that they now have gone ahead with it, both in Hampshire and nationwide, to give this money to those in greater need. It is an innovative, practical and very positive way to tackle fuel poverty in a climate of rapid price increases for gas and electricity.
George Hollingbery MP, sponsor of the national launch at the House of Commons

 

"I fully support the “Surviving Winter Appeal” to assist the elderly and the vulnerable to keep warm and healthy during our cold winters.  If you are in a position to do so please help by donating all or part of your winter fuel payment to this very worthwhile cause.”
Sir Michael Parkinson
 

"Staying warm and healthy in our cold winters is something most of us take for granted.  However, when the idea of those more fortunate “handing on” their winter fuel payments to local, vulnerable people was presented, I wanted to pledge my payment to the “Surviving Winter Appeal”. It would be great to think that all those people who are in a position to forego part or all of their own winter fuel payment could join this great scheme and spread a little warmth.
Sir David Jason

“Your donations will make all the difference to thousands of vulnerable and elderly people. I do hope that you will join me to support the Surviving Winter Appeal this year.”
Jonathan Dimbleby

"I’m very happy to give my winter fuel allowance to help someone else who needs it more –  how great it is that so many of us “of a certain age” are all linking up across the whole country like this, to make something really special happen.”
Rosemary Conley
 

“The Surviving Winter Appeal is an important initiative and I am more than happy to support it. Winter weather conditions are worsening and many families and individuals are struggling to keep themselves warm as they live in fuel poverty.  If you can spare it, giving your Winter Fuel Payment to someone who needs it desperately is a wonderful thing to do.”
Denise Robertson
 

"I am very pleased to be donating my Winter Fuel Payment this year because there are so many people here in Milton Keynes that can’t afford the most basic things like a warm home and food on the table.  My donation will ease the burden on these people in our coldest months.”
Dame Cleo Laine

“This is a very good idea and I support it wholeheartedly.  When I get my fuel payment, I will be redistributing it.  I like the idea of giving up the money where it isn’t needed and passing it on to those pensioners who will welcome it.  All power to Saga for Surviving Winter.”   
Sue Macgreggor

"This is a jolly nice campaign and I support it fully.  It makes perfect sense for those for whom the fuel payment is not significant to their general income, to surrender it to those who need it most.  Good idea, Saga.”
Nick Hewer

"When I receive my fuel payment I will certainly be donating it to those pensioners who need it.  The thought of people dying of cold in this country is just horrific.  I am pleased to support Saga’s Surviving Winter appeal and happy to offer my payment to a scheme run by a publication I know and trust.”
Virginia McKenna

"Athough it’s lovely to receive the winter fuel payment, it’s ridiculous that I should keep it, when there are elderly folk struggling to keep warm with one bar of an electric fire.  I’m absolutely 110 per cent backing Saga’s campaign to pass on payments to those who need them.”
Gloria Hunniford
 

"I will gladly donate my winter fuel payment to Saga's Surviving Winter campaign.  My wife Mary, who has served as president of the British Energy Foundation, came up with a message encouraging others to do the same, 'don't be fuellish!'  I feel guilty about receiving it and will gladly pass the money on to elderly people in need of it."
Jeffrey Archer

 

  "I really think this is a brilliant idea and I heartily encourage anyone who feels they are not actually in need of the Winter Fuel Payment to consider donating some or all of it to help others and let's hope it will make a difference to people's lives this Winter.  I am pleased that Saga is supporting this Community Foundation Network campaign to encourage pensioners who do not need their Winter Fuel Payment to donate part or all of it to those who are dreading the winter and have to choose between heating and eating.   Please donate to the Community Foundation Network, they will ensure that the money goes to help people to survive the winter.”
June Whitfield

"I am delighted to support the Surviving Winter campaign, which will help older and vulnerable through our harsh winter. I encourage anyone that is eligible for the winter fuel payment who does not need it, to donate it to show their compassion for those in greater need.”
Kate Adie

"A lot of people need this money and I don’t.  It takes a couple of clicks online to pass it on, and I hope all of us who can afford to will do so."
Peter Snow

"This is a wonderful appeal to encourage people who receive the Winter Fuel Payment but feel they don’t need the money, to donate it and help to those to whom it will make more of a difference. In the current economic climate, it is especially important we can support people who may struggle in the winter months and I am delighted to show my support and will look forward to donating my payment to help someone who may be in more need of it."
Sir Victor Blank

“I fully support the Surviving Winter Appeal to assist older people and the vulnerable in Lancashire to keep warm and healthy during our cold winters.  If you are in a position to do so please help by donating all or part of your winter fuel payment to this very worthwhile cause.”
Bill Roache
 

“It is a shocking fact that fuel poverty effects many thousands of older and vulnerable people in Sussex, and this campaign is a fantastic way for people to help those who cannot afford to pay their fuel bills and will be at risk this winter. I would encourage everyone who can afford to donate all or part of their Winter Fuel Allowance to consider doing so.”
Dame Vera Lynn

 “I am proud and happy to support the Surviving Winter Appeal.”
Joanna Lumley

"The Surviving Winter Appeal is a perfect way of allowing those who can cope this Christmas to give some money to those who need it far more. I'm more than happy to help".
Stuart Rose
 

“We are very lucky as actors to be able to work occasionally past pensionable age, so it is with pleasure that we share our luck with those not so fortunate, by 're-cycling' our winter fuel payments.” 
Trevor Peacock (Jim Trott in the Vicar of Dibley) and Tilly Tremayne

“When I tried to return my winter fuel payment last year to the Government, they refused to take it, and this year they’ve crossed me off the list – just when I wanted to give it to a Community Foundation.  So I’ve decided to give them a cheque in lieu.  

“The BBC’s You & Yours programme interviewed me last year, at the same time as they asked Justin Sargent, the Chief Executive of Somerset Community Foundation, to outline their Surviving Winter Appeal.  I thought it was just such a simple, brilliant idea; for people who didn’t need the payment to give it to people who do.  You can be sure that your money will go directly to the elderly who are cold or isolated, or who are unable to pay their fuel bills, because the Foundation already supports those smaller charities and voluntary groups, like lunch clubs and community transport associations who are in regular contact with these disadvantaged pensioners.
Peter Stringfellow

Supported by:

      

“I am delighted to be supporting this brilliant initiative to help “recycle” winter fuel allowances from those who don’t need them, to help pensioners who do. We feel it is important, as part of a caring society, to enable people who want to help those who are at risk of fuel poverty to keep warm and well this winter.”

Ros Altmann, Director-General, The Saga Group, campaign sponsor

"NEA is delighted to be supporting the Surviving Winter Campaign. As the national fuel poverty charity, we are only too aware of the dangers of living in cold damp homes, and with winter approaching many people will be dreading the prospect of cold conditions and high energy bills. Through the campaign, we hope to raise awareness of the 6.6 million UK households that are currently estimated to be in fuel poverty, as well as work with individual community foundations to deliver effective, tailored solutions that will permanently remove people from fuel poverty”.

Peter Smith, External Affairs Manager, NEA, campaign sponsor

“Baker Tilly supports the Surviving Winter Campaign because it is a simple but effective idea that makes a big difference to hundreds of elderly people across the UK.”

Martin Rodgers, Chairman, Baker Tilly

“This is a commendable initiative which will make a big difference to the lives of older and vulnerable people.  In these difficult economic times, any schemes which encourage people to give what they can to help those most in need are to be applauded.”

Sir Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive, National Council for Voluntary Organisations