Joan Bakewell welcomes CFN's campaign in the Daily Mail. She explains why the campaign is so desperately needed. Each year around 20,000 more people aged 65 or over die in winter months than in other months.  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.

Our Surviving Winter Appeal, backed by Saga, launched in November at the House of Commons.  Surviving Winter is a UK-wide campaign to encourage people to make donations to help older and vulnerable people who cannot afford to pay their fuel bills. Denise Roberston (second from left) and Dickie Davies (centre) are among many celebrities backing the campaign. With them are Ros Altmann (far left) of Saga, George Hollingbery MP and Martyn Lewis.

The campaign is inspired by individuals who want to donate their Winter Fuel Payment to support older and vulnerable people less fortunate than themselves.

Campaign coverage in the Guardian

Forces Sweetheart, singer Dame Vera Lynn, from Sussex, is backing the campaign

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.

Mrs P from Frome suffers from a condition that reduces circulation to her hands in feet in cold weather. Her winter bills are high as she needs to keep the house warmer than usual and her end-of-terrace home is extremely hard to heat. A Surviving Winter grant from Somerset Community Foundation’s helped her out.

Read The Telegraph and the Daily Mirror on the campaign.