A Northampton charity is showing its support for the elderly during the winter with its annual appeal.
The Northamptonshire Community Foundation is appealing to residents to donate to its ‘Surviving Winter’ campaign to help save lives this Christmas.
The grant-making charity delivers a variety of funding for the local voluntary and community sector and their latest appeal is about helping the county’s isolated and vulnerable elederly people to stay warm and well this Winter.
In 2010-11 362 elderly people from Northamptonshire died from causes directly related to the cold weather.
The foundation is asking those who are in receipt of a Winter Fuel Allowance, and can afford to do without it, to pass the payment onto appeal.
Residents not in receipt of the payment can also donate directly to the campaign if they wish to.
About £1,000 has been raised for Surviving Winter in Northamptonshire so far but the national campaign, run by Community Foundations across the UK, raised £2.5million and helped 35,000 nationally in 2011.
Last year the appeal benefited the Northamptonshire Association for the Blind, which used a grant of £4,000 grant to to offer clients hot meals and drinks, advice on keeping warm and general maintenance at their homes.
Chief executive of the Northamptonshire Community Foundation, Victoria Miles, said: “This small pot of funding has really exceeded all expectations – the groups and projects that have been funded from this donation have improved the lives of many older vulnerable people in Northamptonshire during the cold weather.
“Small amounts really do make a huge difference and we are delighted the first year and launch of the Fuel Aid appeal drew much support form the public. We will build on this good work to support the most vulnerable in our communities.”
For more information or to donate call the Northamptonshire Community Foundation on Northampton 230 033 or visit www.localgiving.com/northantscf .
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