Shocking statistics reveal almost 7,000 people aged 60 or above live in households suffering income deprivation in Calderdale, leading older people to choose between ‘heating or eating’ this winter. With older householders being particularly vulnerable to the effects of fuel poverty Local charity The Community Foundation for Calderdale have launched an appeal to help support older people facing the very real decision, to risk not heating their home because they need to eat. To view Alfred’s Surviving winter story please click here http://www.cffc.co.uk/why-become-donor/surviving-winter-2014/

Last winter the Calderdale area had 130 extra deaths, an increase of 22%. The number of “excess winter deaths” in England and Wales rose by 29% compared with the previous year, the Office for National Statistics said. Nationally there were 31,000 deaths linked to cold weather last winter. The majority of these deaths were among pensioners – with over-75s accounting for 25,600 winter-related deaths in 2012/13. Research carried out nationally by the BRE and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health estimates that the annual cost of emergency health care in Calderdale to the NHS due to excess cold is £4,282,000 (Source: Calderdale JSNA)

Donations are used in a number of ways, including providing warmth packs and blankets, boiler repairs, funding Meals on Wheels and lunch clubs, supporting homeless shelters, providing winter food parcels, helping people pay their energy bills and better insulate their homes. Please get involved online on social media by using the #MakeItStop