THE organisers of this year’s Surviving Winter campaign in Suffolk say they have been “blown away” by the initial response, which has seen more than �10,000 donated already.
The fundraising initiative is being led by The Suffolk Foundation, Age UK Suffolk and the East Anglian Daily Times – with support from the East of England Co-operative Society – and is aimed at helping vulnerable people pay their fuel bills and stay warm over the coming months.
Last year the campaign raised �55,000 and helped 250 people and it is hoped that the total could be matched or even beaten this year.
Stephen Singleton, chief executive of the Suffolk Foundation, said: “Once again, the response of the Suffolk public has blown us away. To reach the milestone of �10,000 in the first week of our public appeal is amazing, and a tribute to the generosity of EADT readers.
“Last year, we couldn’t keep up with the demand for winter grants for vulnerable older people so we are determined to raise as much as we can to help support those in need during the coming cold months.
“Our partnership with Age UK Suffolk is meeting a very real and direct need with the community and we thank all those who have responded so quickly and generously to our appeal for funds.”
Between 2007 and 2010 on average 454 vulnerable people in Suffolk have died each year from causes directly attributable to cold and poor living conditions.
The vast majority of those affected were over 65 years old, while more than 56,000 households in Suffolk live in fuel poverty.
Surviving Winter forms will be printed regularly in the EADT over the coming weeks and all the details will be available to help people make a contribution.
This year, with the support of the East of England Co-operative Society, The Suffolk Foundation aims to help even more older people stay warm. Pledge forms will be available in all stores throughout the winter.
You can call The Suffolk Foundation directly on 01473 602602 to pay by card or, alternatively, you can visit its website, www.suffolk foundation.org.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here