The Herefordshire Community Foundation has launched its Surviving Winter campaign to help local people survive the coldest season. It is keen to help as many people, and the organisations they rely on in the winter, as possible. The campaign originally began as a vehicle for generous pensioners to ‘recycle’ their Winter Fuel payments and has now developed into a giving portal for anyone who wants to help support vulnerable people live well during the winter.
The cost to the NHS in Herefordshire owing to cold homes is considerable.. Research from the national charity Age UK suggested that the cost of cold homes to the NHS in England and Wales is £1.36 billion a year. The figure does not include the cost to other services which much be significant. Considering this national figure, any activity to reduce fuel poverty and its associated effects in Herefordshire is likely to lead to consequential reductions in local health spend, GP referrals and hospital admissions.
Philippa Spens, CEO of the Community Foundation, said, “This fund is vital, community foundations are one of the few organisations that help with responsive, crisis payments, when people really have nowhere else to turn and are desperate for help.”
A recent recipient of a grant wrote, “What the Herefordshire Community Foundation have done for me is so much more than provide me with heating, you have made me feel that I matter and that is priceless.
Winter Fuel Allowance payments are made in November and December to all pensioners across the UK and is not means tested. If you don’t need yours you can donate it to the Community Foundation and they will help those less fortunate. There isn’t any way to simply divert the payment. Instead, the Foundation is asking for a donation of some or all of the benefit you receive. Even if you don’t qualify for the benefit you can send money.
To donate electronically use reference Surviving Winter, Sort Code: 40-52-40 Account No: 00021470
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online at https://www.herefordshirecf.org/donate/#form
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you can post a cheque made out to the Herefordshire Community Foundation, The Fred Bulmer Centre, Wall Street, Hereford HR4 9HP.
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to give £10 you can text WARM 10 to 70085 . This costs £10 pus your standard rate message.