Nearly 300 vulnerable people died in Gloucestershire last winter from causes directly attributable to the cold. To blame is a combination of poor living conditions,bad diet and circulatory or respiratory diseases which are worsened by the cold. Falls – on ice or wet surfaces – compound the problem and rural isolation exacerbates the situation even further. 
In an innovative Surviving Winter Appeal, the Community Foundation for Gloucestershire is asking people of all ages to show their support for those in need. In particular they are calling on all who can afford it, to forego the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) paid to the over 60s and donate the money to those for whom it is not nearly enough.
Dame Janet Trotter, Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire who is backing the appeal says:
‘Our county has many elderly people who face a winter period of particular hardship and difficulty. It seems incredible that in the twenty first century so many die in Gloucestershire from cold and its attendant health problems. I am pleased to support the initiative of the Gloucestershire Community Foundation in inviting us to consider donating out Winter Fuel Payment to those who are the most vulnerable in our community. If, like me, you volunteer to do this you will be demonstrating your willingness to be a good neighbour to those in our midst who are desperately in need. I invite you to make a difference”.
The WFP is a universal payment of between £125 and £400, depending on age and domestic circumstances, made to everyone aged over 60 on the electoral roll,during November and December. If just one per cent of the 125,990 people over 60 in Gloucestershire were to donate their WFP to the appeal, and Gift Aid it,the Foundation could raise more than £150,000. .
Terry Standing, a Trustee of Gloucestershire Community Foundation says
“We believe that if a small percentage feel able to donate their Winter Fuel Payment, we would be able to help many elderly and vulnerable people survivethe winter and cope with the very cold weather. The Foundation is the main channel for grassroots grant-making to small charities, groups and causes throughout Gloucestershire. We will work with a network of charities and community groups to identify winter need and target the money raised most cost-effectively and achieve the greatest impact. Providing our donors use Gift Aid, we anticipate that all the support costs will be covered by the tax reimbursement. Every penny given will reach its target”.
The public can donate to the fund by visiting the Community Foundation websiteat www.gloucestershirecommunityfoundation.co.uk and clicking on the link to the Surviving Winter Appeal. You can also call 01452 656385 for more details.
