OLDER people from across South Cumbria have spoken about how they struggled to survive last winter - with this one set to be worse. 

According to statistics from the Cumbria Community Foundation (CCF), between 300 and 500 older Cumbrians die because of problems related to not being able to heat their homes. 

This is something that Anthony Gorman and his wife Carol know all too well. Anthony, 78, and Carol, 81, live in Little Urswick. They spoke about how difficult it was for them last year.

Anthony said: "I’m quite badly disabled with a serious spinal condition. I’m in constant pain and have dreadful sciatica virtually constantly.

READ MORE: Martin Lewis: Is it cheaper to switch heating on and off or leave it running?

"I can’t walk very far so I can’t move about to keep warm. With the cost-of-living crisis at the moment it’s very disturbing to see people doing without food to keep the heating on.

“I hope to God it never comes to not being able to afford heating. Cold makes the pain worse.”

Peter Charters, 73, in Grange, lives in a rented two-bedroom flat and suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). He said: "It was getting quite cold. I had to get the blankets out. I used to wrap myself up in a duvet,

“I’m quite vulnerable, I can’t get out for exercise now because of the COPD, if I walk any distance I get out of breath."

The Gormans and Peter got through last winter because of a grant from the CCF's Winter Warmth Appeal. 

Last year CCF claims that Cumbrian individuals and businesses donated £222,819 to the Winter Warmth Appeal. This was used to make 1,319 grants, helping 1,751 older Cumbrians keep warm.

Anthony said: “I have never had anything for nothing, and I didn’t hold out much hope of getting this grant, so it was a big surprise when we did. It made a terrific difference."

Peter said: “I am very grateful to people who have donated to the Winter Warmth Appeal. People like myself don’t have a very high income and you are stuck in that situation.”