Businesses throughout Cumbria are coming together to support vulnerable older people in their community by donating to the Winter Warmth Appeal, an annual campaign run by the Cumbria Community Foundation. The Foundation is working towards a goal of £500,000 to ensure that older individuals do not have to choose between heating their homes and having enough to eat during the coldest months.
Until December 13th, all donations made to the Winter Warmth Appeal will be doubled, thanks to the generosity of the Foundation’s “match fund champions”. These businesses, funders, and organizations have pledged to match every donation made by the public, pound for pound, doubling the impact of each contribution.
Today, on Giving Tuesday, individuals around the world are encouraged to give to causes they care about, as a counterbalance to the consumerism of the holiday season. Dr. Jenny Benson, Director of Programmes & Partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, expressed her gratitude to those who have already donated to the Winter Warmth Appeal and urged others to do so on this day of giving.
Benson stated, “We know this winter is going to be incredibly hard for many older vulnerable members of our community who cannot afford to heat their homes adequately. This year, our appeal is more vital than ever before and I would urge anyone who is able to give to do so today.”
Among the businesses supporting the appeal is Keswick Alhambra cinema, who have generously donated the proceeds from their Christmas Day showings and have also placed collection buckets in the foyer throughout December. Co-owners Jonathan Moore and Graham King shared their motivation for supporting the Winter Warmth Appeal, stating, “We choose to support the Winter Warmth Appeal because it is an obvious fit with our objectives in opening the cinema – it is predominantly the older population we see on Christmas Day and some of them tell us they wouldn’t have seen another person, if they had not come out to the cinema. We are also pleased that the money raised is spent very directly on supporting people in Cumbria so those who pay for tickets or make a donation can see that their gift is benefiting the community of which they are a part.”
On Christmas Day, the cinema will be showing It’s a Wonderful Life, the 70th-anniversary remastered White Christmas, and the new Mufasa The Lion King, as well as the King’s Christmas Message at 3pm.
Sellafield Ltd has committed to donating to the Winter Warmth Appeal not just this winter, but for the next three years. Eirini Etoimou, Head of Corporate Sustainability & Supply Chain Development at Sellafield Ltd, explained their decision, saying, “Supporting those most vulnerable in our communities is at the heart of our social impact programme which is why we have chosen to support the Winter Warmth Appeal again this year. With rising costs, winter can be a tough enough time for older people generally, but especially so in more rural communities like ours. The appeal can make a huge difference to people when they really need it most and ensure that nobody has to struggle to heat their homes in the coldest months.”
Other businesses contributing to the appeal include Ecological Building Systems, Atkins Realis, James Walker, and Center Parcs. Lorna Graham, Deputy General Manager of Ecological Building Systems, based in Carlisle, stated, “Ecological Building Systems are proud to again support Cumbria Community Foundation’s Winter Warmth Appeal. As a supplier of sustainable building products backed-up with full technical support for low energy retrofit and new build projects, we’re passionate about supporting the local community to stay safe and warm, especially this winter.”
Glen Franklin, Village Director at Center Parcs Whinfell Forest, echoed this sentiment, saying, “We feel this is an extremely worthy cause, particularly this year with the changes to the winter fuel allowance.”
Individuals, families, and community groups have also made donations to the appeal, and all contributions, regardless of size, are greatly appreciated. Until December 13th, all donations will be matched £1 for £1, thanks to the generosity of the Foundation’s “match fund champions”. These include WCF Ltd, John Laing Charitable Trust, Cumberland Council, Westmorland & Furness Council, Electricity North West, Hadfield Trust, Roseland Trust, Nuclear Waste Services, Johnson Fund, EMG Solicitors, The Rotary Club of Carlisle, Brian & Ann Clark Fund, Harvey Family Fund, and various private donors.
Last year, the Cumbria Community Foundation awarded more than £315,000 in grants through delivery partners Age UK and Copeland Age & Advice Service, benefiting 1,941 vulnerable older people. To make a donation to the Winter Warmth Appeal, visit https://cumbriafoundation.enthuse.com/cf/cumbria-winter-warmth-appeal-2024. Donations can also be made by phone
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.