FAMILIES in Herefordshire are facing the tough decision between eating or heating as the temperature drops, a leading charity has warned. Herefordshire Community Foundation (HCF) is now trying to help those people facing the problem, which it says has been made worse by some children learning from home due to the coronavirus pandemic. The HCF’s surviving winter fund supports local households in fuel poverty, and chief executive Bridie Sullivan said help is needed now more than ever. Parents reading this will know all too well the stresses of home schooling, irrespective of financial concerns, she said. But for those coping on a low income, the worry of increased heating and electricity costs on top of food bills is adding huge additional pressure.
A CAMPAIGN to keep elderly people warm in the winter months has broken all records by raising £100,000. Dorset Community Foundation’s annual Surviving Winter campaign was launched ten years ago in response to the number of deaths among older people caused by fuel poverty. An average of 730 die each year in Dorset due to cold-related illness. Foundation chief executive Grant Robson said the success of the campaign has been down to the generosity of the people of the county. She added: “Each year Dorset people step up to support this campaign but this year we have seen an extraordinary response and we are so thankful,” he said.
FAMILIES in Herefordshire are facing the tough decision between eating or heating as the temperature drops, a leading charity has warned. Herefordshire Community Foundation (HCF) is now trying to help those people facing the problem, which it says has been made worse by some children learning from home due to the coronavirus pandemic. The HCF’s surviving winter fund supports local households in fuel poverty, and chief executive Bridie Sullivan said help is needed now more than ever. Parents reading this will know all too well the stresses of home schooling, irrespective of financial concerns, she said. But for those coping on a low income, the worry of increased heating and electricity costs on top of food bills is adding huge additional pressure.
WILTSHIRE’s High Sheriff and Lord Lieutenant have urged the people of the county to support Wiltshire Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter campaign. The Surviving Winter campaign, which has been running since 2010, will this year be funding partners Age UK, Warm and Safe Wiltshire and both Swindon and Wiltshire Citizens Advice so they can provide hot meals, energy bill vouchers, boiler repairs and servicing and essential energy-saving and benefits advice. Last year the appeal raised £90,000 and helped 300 people through direct grants, but by working closer with its partners this year, the community foundation hopes to help at least 900. Research by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy last year revealed there are more than 30,000 households in Wiltshire and Swindon - almost one in ten homes - living in fuel poverty, meaning they cannot afford to heat their home properly through the coldest months of the year.