Cumbria Community Foundation Launches Annual Winter Warmth Appeal to Support Older People in Need
As the temperatures continue to drop and winter approaches, the Cumbria Community Foundation is highlighting the struggles of older people in the region who are faced with the difficult decision of choosing between heating their homes or putting food on the table.
According to statistics, up to 500 older people in Cumbria die every winter due to their inability to afford both heating and proper nutrition. In response, the Cumbria Community Foundation has launched its annual Winter Warmth Appeal, which has raised an impressive £3 million since its inception in 2010.
The funds raised through the appeal are distributed in the form of grants to the most vulnerable older people in the community, allowing them to stay warm without worrying about the financial burden. Last year, over £270,000 in grants were awarded to 1,570 older people in Cumbria through delivery partners Age UK and Copeland Age & Advice Service.
John, 85, from Penrith, is one of the many beneficiaries of the Winter Warmth Appeal. He expressed his gratitude, saying, “The cold affects my breathing, and that’s when I start to get angina pains. My flat gets so cold but I’ll sit here with three jumpers on and a blanket because I daren’t put the heating on. Last year I got a grant and it meant I knew I could put the heating on once it got really cold. It’s been a godsend, it really has. I’d like to say thank you very much, and ask everyone to donate if they can.”
Another recipient of the grant, Pat, 80, from Barrow, has been receiving support from the Winter Warmth Appeal for the past five years. She shared, “I feel very fortunate to have received the grant. I have a health condition that means I need to stay warm. I need warmth to stay healthy, like many people of my age do. I’m very, very grateful to everybody that gives to the appeal.”
Christine, 72, from Carlisle, also received a grant last year and explained how it made a difference in her life. “I have gas central heating but my bills have gone up so much, I worry about turning it on. I’m the coldest person on Earth! The warmest place is in bed, but you shouldn’t have to live like that. The grant makes a great difference. I can’t stress how much it helps to know you’ve got that money coming. It’s a lot of money to me. It’s a great help,” she said.
Sheila, 70, from Workington, shared how the grant helped her feel less frightened to use her heating. She said, “It just makes you feel less frightened to put your heating on instead of putting on three dressing gowns. I have got emphysema and the dry air doesn’t help my breathing. So I like to heat the house through a few times a day rather than have it on all the time. The grant also made me more able to have hot meals.”
To continue its efforts in supporting older people in need, the Cumbria Community Foundation has launched a match funding challenge in which all donations made to the Winter Warmth Appeal will be matched £1 for £1. This is made possible by the generosity of match funding champions such as Allan Stobarts Lubricants & Fuels, Hadfield Trust, Harvey Family Fund, John Laing Charitable Trust, Johnson Fund, Sellafield Ltd, SP Electricity North West, Roseland Trust, WCF Ltd, Westmorland & Furness Council, and private donors.
Karen Hunter, Customer Inclusion Manager at SP Electricity North West, shared their pride in supporting the Winter Warmth Appeal, saying, “We’re proud to once again support Cumbria Community Foundation’s Winter Warmth Appeal, following the success of last year’s partnership. At SP Electricity North West, customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re always seeking out meaningful partnerships that make a real difference in our communities. As a funding champion, we’ll be doubling donations £1 for £1 over a six-week period starting 10 November, up to a total of £20,000. We hope this inspires both new and returning donors to get involved, knowing their generosity will go twice as far.”
Dr Jenny Benson, Director of Programmes & Partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, expressed the urgent need for support this winter. She said, “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. We’d like to say an enormous thank you to all of our match funding champions whose generosity means that anyone donating to our appeal before 19 December will make double the difference. We are proud to have helped thousands of older people since the appeal
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.