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Appeal to Surrey residents: help raise funds for the Surviving Winter Campaign!
The Community Foundation for Surrey is appealing to the elderly residents of Surrey to donate their unwanted Winter Fuel allowance to help vulnerable and older people affected by fuel poverty in Surrey.
The campaign was launched nationally on the 10th November at the House of Commons with the support of Saga. Co-ordinated locally by the Community Foundation for Surrey, the campaign has the backing of Dame Sarah Goad DCVO JP, Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, who says she is delighted to give her support to the Surviving Winter Appeal.
Individuals who can afford to are being asked to donate their Winter Fuel allowance from the government to support older and vulnerable people who will struggle to afford to look after themselves during the coldest months.
The Lord Bishop of Guildford, Christopher Hill and Bernard Cribbins OBE, the much-loved children’s and television presenter, have also pledged their support to the appeal donating their fuel allowances. The Community Foundation for Surrey is now encouraging others to do the same and will be channelling all the funds raised in the county to provide local support to those most in need of help and ensure they can afford to stay warm, eat well and remain mobile. The money will also help in more practical ways such as ensuring elderly Surrey residents can make doctor’s appointments and maintain an active social life.
Dame Sarah commented: "I am delighted to support this excellent campaign which strikes me as a good and simple way for those who aren’t short to help those who are – a sort of Robin Hood arrangement but entirely legal. I hope my endorsement will encourage more people to donate to the Surrey appeal as the cold winter starts to bite to ensure that we can help those in the county who are understandably worried about keeping their heating on!”
According to the Department of Health, 528 deaths in Surrey alone were directly attributable to winter weather. The National Energy Action (NEA) stated that nationally, 5.4 million households are living in fuel poverty and almost half are aged over 60. There is a real concern that these worrying figures will increase as heating costs escalate and elderly people struggle to look after themselves during the winter.
Wendy Varcoe, Executive Director of the Community Foundation for Surrey, said:“I am delighted that Dame Sarah, The Lord Bishop of Guildford, and Bernard Cribbins are supporting the campaign and I hope that they inspire local people to give money to the appeal.Money raised locally will be used to support charities and community organisations in Surrey to help the most vulnerable members of our communities and make sure that they receive the help they need this winter. By donating to the appeal you will be helping to provide older and vulnerable people at risk in the county with the means to stay warm, eat well and pay their rising heating costs this winter."
To donate to the Surviving Winter appeal individuals can give directly to the Community Foundation by writing a cheque donating their fuel allowance. Alternatively, they can go online and donate direct to Surrey via www.localgiving.com. You can also enable us to claim gift aid on your donation by completing and attaching this form. The aim is for every penny to go to where it is needed and this can be done by the Community Foundation covering its administration costs through the additional gift aid claimed on donations received.