More than £200,000 has been raised in a county-wide initiative to support people during the cost-of-living crisis.
Since its launch in October 2022, the Suffolk Cost-of-Living Surviving Winter Appeal has seen donations pour in from individuals, families and businesses who want to help those worried about heating their homes and feeding their families.
By the end of the year, a total of £210,060 was raised - but organisers are calling for further donations to help more people.
"We’ve already had a taste of the cold weather this winter," said Michael Attwood, partnership manager at Suffolk Community Foundation - one of the organisations spearheading the campaign.
"And so the amazing donations that have already been made are making a real difference to people’s lives.
"With many households feeling the pinch and the cold, the generosity of those who can give and support our work will be appreciated more than ever."
The Appeal, which is supported by this newspaper, is being coordinated by Suffolk Community Foundation, Citizens Advice Ipswich and Suffolk County Council's 'Warm Homes Healthy People' project.
The latest initiative - the 12th in a series of annual appeals - has widened how it will help Suffolk people, with a three-pronged focus on ‘fuel, food and support’.
"We continue to hear so many cases of people living in the most terrible situations – families and people in freezing cold, with little or no heating," said Melanie Craig, chief executive at Suffolk Community Foundation.
"It’s shocking.
"We urge people to come forward to Citizen’s Advice Ipswich wherever they live in Suffolk.
"All this is possible because of the brilliant, kind generosity of people in Suffolk who are donating to the Suffolk Community Foundation Appeal."
Donations have come from across Suffolk and those who are being helped are also spread widely across the county.
In 2021/22, the Appeal raised nearly a quarter of a million pounds and provided warmth and other vital financial advice and support to over 1,800 households across Suffolk.
If you would like to receive individual support, wherever you are in Suffolk, please contact Citizen’s Advice Ipswich on 01473 298634.
To donate to the Appeal, donate online by visiting www.suffolkcf.org.uk, telephone 01473 602 602 or visit any branch of Suffolk Building Society to make a payment.
Or you can fill in the coupon in today’s East Anglian Daily Times and send a cheque.
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