The Burns family live in a small rural area in Gateshead and all three members of the family suffer severe health problems. Ideally they need the heating on all day - something they simply cannot afford. The Surviving Winter campaign ensures they can keep their home warmer this winter by making use of fuel efficiency measures and ensuring they claim all the benefits they are entitled to.
Terry (75) and Kath Burns (66) live in Chopwell, a traditional mining village with a long history in a rural part of Gateshead. Their son Simon (44) lives round the corner; all are acutely aware of the importance of keeping warm during the winter when Chopwell can virtually get cut off by heavy snowfall. Terry has arthritis, Kath is recovering from a heart bypass, Simon has Parkinson's disease and so none of them are particularly mobile. To keep healthy the heating should really be left on all day to maintain a constant temperature and ensure that none of them get potentially lethal infections. The family are finding it hard to make ends meet though and simply cannot afford to keep the heating on.
"None of us are as active and mobile as we'd like to be and we're not getting any younger," said Terry. "When the snow comes it is virtually impossible for anyone. let alone those who are old and vulnerable, to negotiate these hilly streets. We really struggle to keep the place warm all the time but we just have to put an extra jumper on or cover up with a blanket. There is no way we could keep the heating on all day, it would cost us thousands."
Families like the Burns welcome the Surviving Winter campaign: just a small amount of money can help keep their home warmer this winter by helping them understand what benefits they are entitled to and fuel efficiency measures to help keep their home warmer for longer.