Surviving Winter

Wiltshire Community Foundation

01380 729284

An appeal by Wiltshire Community Foundation

31%

£27,743

of £90,000

days left

backers

Donate now

About the appeal

Over the last 11 years, we have given almost £600,000 to help more than 1,700 households living in fuel poverty across our county. Thanks to the generosity of our donors we have helped elderly and vulnerable people to stay safe and warm.

There is no doubt that this winter is going to be an even greater challenge because of Covid and the lockdown. Pre-pandemic 30,000 people in Wiltshire were already living in fuel poverty, with an average of 400 people dying prematurely each year, most of them elderly, because of the impact the cold has on respiratory and circulatory conditions. Each year many vulnerable people have to make the harrowing choice between eating or heating their home. This year the impact is likely to be worse, not just because of the virus itself, but because the lockdowns and restrictions mean many vulnerable people will be forced to stay at home, unable to visit family, friends, or voluntary groups to get a hot meal, warmth, and some company.

In response to this increased need, we are significantly extending our programme. Working with our partners, including Age UK Wiltshire, Warm and Safe Wiltshire and Wiltshire and Swindon Citizens Advice, we have committed to reaching three times as many local people. Elderly and vulnerable people will receive tailored support, including energy grants, assistance with energy claims, boiler service or repairs, door-to-door hot meals, training and support to get online as well as activities to prevent them being lonely and isolated.

In order to deliver this much needed and ambitious programme, we need your help.

If you are in a position where you can donate all or part of your winter fuel payment, we can redirect it to where it is needed most, helping to support vulnerable local people through the dark days of winter and beyond. If you do not receive the winter fuel payment but would like to make a donation to the Campaign, we will be hugely appreciative of any amount you feel able to give.

Thank you for your support.

31%

£27,743

of £90,000

days left

backers

Donate now

What your gift could provide

£10

Keep elderly and vulnerable people in Wiltshire and Swindon safe and warm this winter

£50

Keep elderly and vulnerable people in Wiltshire and Swindon safe and warm this winter

£200

Keep elderly and vulnerable people in Wiltshire and Swindon safe and warm this winter

Latest donations

Shula Kerr

In memory of Jane Matthews

18/01/2021

£50

Anonymous

I made a donation to Wiltshire Community Foundation

13/01/2021

£200

Fraser Macdonald

Keep up the great work

13/01/2021

£500

Stats

Online donations

£7,629.00

Gift Aid

£1,674.75

Match Funding

£0.00

Raised offline

£20,114.00

Total raised: £29,417.75

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