As we head into winter, many of us face an expensive – but essential – bill for heating our homes, while hundreds of our older neighbours here in Somerset are forced to choose between heating and eating. The coronavirus outbreak means that, for many older and vulnerable people, this winter will be even more difficult and worrying. Many will need to stay at home to keep themselves safe, and will find themselves cut off from family and friends, facing higher costs to heat their homes.
A shocking 10% of households in Somerset live in fuel poverty. Thanks to the bright idea of one generous pensioner, hundreds of older people in Somerset are being supported to stay warm, safe and well every winter through Somerset Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter campaign.
Surviving Winter encourages people who don’t need their Winter Fuel Payment to donate some or all of it to help local older people who are unable to afford to heat their homes.
Every year Surviving Winter helps around 500 elderly people living in Somerset through the cold winter months, thanks to generous local donors who, last year, donated over £100,000 to the appeal.
Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) is taking part in The Big Give, and online donations made to Surviving Winter during the week-long Big Give Christmas Challenge – midday Tuesday 1 December to midday Tuesday 8 December – will be doubled. So, not only will your donation be worth twice as much, but even more older and isolated people across the county will get the support they need this winter.
If you would like to donate to Surviving Winter, visit www.somersetcf.org.uk/winter or call SCF on: 01749 344949.

DonationForm_2020_Final.pdf