Cumbria Winter Warmth Appeal: Donations doubled this winter

Cumbria Community Foundation has been managing the appeal since 2010 and has raised over £2.5m to help local vulnerable older residents with their sky-high heating bills.

The deadline for the match funding donations has been extended until 5pm on December 22.

Jenny Benson, director of programmes and partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: "We've extended the deadline for match funding donations until 5pm on December 22 to maximise the amount raised.

"Thanks to the generosity of our match funding champions, every £1 the public give will be doubled, so everyone's donation will really make double the difference."

She added, "Our aim is to raise at least £500,000, so that we can support as many people as possible.

"Our delivery partners at Age UK tell us that people are being forced to choose whether they eat or heat their homes.

"It’s that desperate."

Among those who have benefited from the scheme in the past are Shirley Goodwin and her husband Paul, from Walney in Barrow.

Ms Goodwin said: "The price of gas and electricity is going up all the time.

"We had cut back on heating because we were frightened of overspending.

"This has made such a difference."

Stewart Taberham, 75 of Morton Park in Carlisle, is another beneficiary.

He said: "I'm waiting for an operation and I need the heating on 24/7 because of my health problems.

"That costs me £250 a month, which I can't afford on a fixed income.

"This help has made a considerable difference."

Likewise, Barbara Wilson, 78, from Egremont, said: "I have circulation problems so I need to keep warm.

"My great granddaughters bought me a pair of heated gloves.

"I was sitting in the cold wearing these and a coat.

"The help from the Winter Warmth Appeal means I can have the heating on."

Last year, the appeal awarded grants totalling over £578,930, helping a staggering 3,223 elderly people in Cumbria keep warm throughout the harsh winter.

The appeal is also boosted by match funding champions, who have pledged almost £200,000 to double the contributions from the public, including notable names like WCF Ltd, John Laing Charitable Trust, and Cumberland Council.

To make a donation, that will be doubled until the December 22 deadline, visit the Cumbria Foundation website.

You can also donate by calling 01900 825760 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, or send a cheque payable to Cumbria Community Foundation, with Winter Warmth Fund on the back, to Cumbria Community Foundation, Dovenby Hall, Dovenby, Cockermouth, CA13 0PN.