The Westmorland Gazette backs The Winter Warmth Appeal

With your help we’d like to end the suffering of pensioners this winter who may have to choose between eating and heating their homes.

It is a shocking fact that most winters 300 older Cumbrians die because of problems not being able to heat their homes or eat properly – and in worse winters the figure has risen to 500.

Your donations to the Winter Warmth Appeal will be paid out in grants directly to vulnerable local people in need, helping them to stay safe and well.

The campaign is being supported by one woman who has revealed how a grant from the fund lifted her out of misery last winter.

Jean Lownds, 66, from Kendal, says the Winter Warmth grant she received rescued her from a winter of misery and worry.

“I couldn’t believe it when I received the money last year,” says Jean. “It was absolutely wonderful, it helped me such a lot. It was such a relief.”

Jean had to leave her job at Asda because of ill-health but wasn’t able to draw her pension for seven months.

“I was really struggling. Money just stopped coming in and I didn’t know which way to turn,” says Jean.

“I was using very, very little heating because I was worried about the money. It was getting seriously cold in the flat.

“I used to go to bed at about 7.30pm and put the electric blanket on for one hour and then turn it off and just stay in bed until the morning, because it was too cold to sit up.

“I have Reynard’s disease which is bad circulation, and my legs could be so painful with the cold they would go purple. I used to dread it if there was going to be ice or snow because it would be so cold.

“I was just worried to death about the money a lot of the time.”

She received £150 and says it allowed her to put two heaters on in her flat.

“It meant I was comfortable, and honestly it was amazing. I even stayed up and watched TV,” said Jean.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to the people who donated to the Winter Warmth Appeal. It made a huge difference to me.”

The Winter Warmth Appeal is run by Cumbria Community Foundation in partnership with Age UK, which makes sure the money reaches those in need.

Last year, 1,166 Cumbrians were helped to keep warm, after Cumbrians donated more than £200,000 to the appeal.

And this year, any donations made between Monday 16th November and midday Monday 14th December will be doubled with match funding to double the impact.

One in eight households in Cumbria is said to be living in fuel poverty, one of the hidden issues in this rural county which greatly affects the health and wellbeing of those who cannot heat their homes.

Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “This money is crucial to help older people stay well and safe during the cold weather, and in some cases, it saves lives.

“More than 32,000 older Cumbrians live alone, many in poorly insulated buildings. Problems with isolation and health are made worse if people can’t afford to stay warm in their homes.

“We know how generous Cumbrians are - the Winter Warmth Appeal has raised £1m over the last 10 years.”

Vanessa Sims, regional group editor of Newsquest Cumbria, said: “We’re lending our support to the Winter Warmth Appeal this year to help ensure that Cumbria’s pensioners are not forgotten.

"I know that our generous readers would hate to think that old folk in our communities can’t afford to keep warm and I hope you will all support this appeal.”

How you can support the campaign

Last year 335 people in 257 households were helped in the South Lakes by the Winter Warmth Appeal. They received a total of £42,480 to heat their homes.

We spoke with dozens of older people who said the grants had made a crucial difference to coping in the winter months.

A 66-year-old woman from Kendal said: “It’s marvellous – absolutely fantastic because coming out of hospital the support is there.”

And a 73-year-old woman also from Kendal told us: “It was very helpful because heating bills are a concern in winter. I’m not very mobile and do a lot of sitting. It certainly helped me to budget for the winter.”

Donate: Online www.cumbriafoundation.org/winter-warmth-fund or www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/winter-warmth-2020; Cheque payable to ‘Cumbria Community Foundation’ (write Winter Warmth on the back) and post to Cumbria Community Foundation, Dovenby Hall, Dovenby, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0PN; Phone 01900 825760.

West Cumberland Farmers Ltd, the John Laing Charitable Trust, the Roselands Trust, the Johnson Fund and the Hadfield Trust have pledged £50,000 which will be used to match donations from the public.