NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
Wednesday 9th November 2011
The Suffolk Foundation is today launching their Surviving Winter Appeal, part of a national campaign across the UK to help thousands of vulnerable and older people affected by fuel poverty by asking those who can afford to forego their Winter Fuel Payment to donate it to a Surviving Winter fund for older and vulnerable people in need. The Surviving Winter Appeal in Suffolk was launched by the Rt. Rev. Nigel Stock, Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich who is himself donating his Winter Fuel Payment to the appeal.
Bishop Nigel came to Grundisburgh this morning to speak to the members of the Grundisburgh Lunch Club about their experiences of dealing with cold winters and rising fuels prices, and gave his backing to the Surviving Winter Appeal. “This is a simple campaign that I am very happy to endorse,” said Bishop Nigel. “For people who don’t need their Winter Fuel Payment, we’d like to ask them to consider donating it in this very direct way to help those who really do need extra help. This campaign is such a good idea.”
With rising fuel bills and the prospect of another cold winter, older and vulnerable people are at risk. Over the past three winters, there have been on average 409 “excess winter deaths” in Suffolk each year, over and above what you would naturally expect to see, according to NHS Suffolk data. The vast majority of these deaths are people aged over 65. What they collect, thanks to the generosity of the British public, can then be directly targeted to help those locally who struggle to get through the winter. Funds raised in Suffolk will remain in Suffolk, to be distributed by Age UK Suffolk to those most in need.
Across the UK, 5.4 million households are living in fuel poverty. Almost half of those living in fuel poverty are aged over 60. In Suffolk, data from 2008 estimates that 43,802 households are experiencing fuel poverty which is equivalent to 14.7% of all households.
In partnership with the East Anglian Daily Times and Age UK Suffolk, the Surviving Winter Appeal run by The Suffolk Foundation will channel all the funds raised to provide support to older and vulnerable people who are suffering because of fuel poverty. The money will be directed through Age UK Suffolk to those most in need of help and make 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.
Commenting on the challenge to the local community, Chief Executive of The Suffolk Foundation, Stephen Singleton, said: “Surviving Winter is a UK-wide co-ordinated campaign to encourage people to make donations to support those in need for whom the Winter Fuel Payment is not nearly enough. It is vitally important to provide a channel for those who want to help the most vulnerable members of our community to get through the winter with dignity. We hope others will see what is being done and also wish to lend their support.”
Many pledges have already been received before the campaign has been launched. Leading the Appeal is Clare, Countess of Euston who is both President of Age UK Suffolk and Vice Chairman of The Suffolk Foundation. “When I turned sixty recently, I was surprised to find that I am eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment. I want to donate my Winter Fuel Payment and give my backing to a national campaign that will make a genuine difference this winter particularly here in Suffolk.”
To donate to the appeal:
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visit www.localgiving.com/survivingwinter
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call The Suffolk Foundation office on 01473 734120
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see the pledge form in East Anglian Daily Times
