Surviving Winter 2022/23

Dorset Community Foundation

01202 670815

Surviving Winter 2022/23

An appeal by Dorset Community Foundation

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63%

£63,357

of £100,000

120

days left

134

backers

Donate now

About the appeal

Why do we run Surviving Winter?
Dorset Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter Appeal is in its thirteenth year and its aim is to help keep vulnerable elderly people warm. There are 19,000 people in Dorset, according to government estimates, living in fuel poverty – meaning they cannot afford to heat their home. Older people in this category are more at risk of death from cold-related illness and the most recent NHS statistics revealed 260 people in Dorset died during the winter months.
This year may be tougher than ever for hundreds of older people who will face ongoing financial struggles caused by the cost of living crisis. Fierce pride, and fear of owing money, forces the elderly in our community to choose between making themselves a hot, nutritious meal or turning the heating on.
This decline in nutrition and a lack of mobility combine to leave them more at risk of cold-related illnesses such as respiratory conditions like pneumonia and bronchitis.

We can help them
Each winter we team up with experts at Citizens Advice to distribute £200 grants to older people in need so they can afford to heat their homes without scrimping on food. Since 2011 we have raised £375,000 and helped thousands of people but, this year more than ever, there are still hundreds of people who need our help – people like JK and his wife who are living with the lasting effects of her cancer. She needs the warmth to stay comfortable but they have to survive on a state pension.

The community will benefit
It is shocking that in the 21st century people are still living in freezing homes and fearful for their health. Many will lose their lives just because of poverty but we can do something about it. We aim to raise £100,000 in 2022/23 – enough to help 500 people. More than that, we want to highlight the hidden plight of older people who suffer alone.
We have seen a resurgence in community spirit since the pandemic, as volunteers all over the county have stepped up to help their older neighbours with shopping and collecting prescriptions. We want to continue this community support and we hope this campaign will help keep our elderly folk in peoples’ minds.

63%

£63,357

of £100,000

120

days left

134

backers

Donate now

What your gift could provide

£50

will pay for a month's worth of logs for older people living off grid

£170

will pay for someone's hot meals for a month

£200

will help with quarterly fuel bills

Latest donations

Anonymous

I made a donation to Dorset Community Foundation

23/01/2023

£50

Rod Turner

Contribution from my fuel allowance

23/01/2023

£200

Alison Shirley

I made a donation to Dorset Community Foundation

12/01/2023

£67

Stats

Online donations

£29,447.00

Gift Aid

£5,313.50

Raised offline

£33,910.00

Total raised: £68,670.50

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