An appeal is being made to residents who can afford to forego their Winter Fuel Payment to donate the money to help elderly people in Bath and North East Somerset who are at their most vulnerable as the temperatures plummet.
Anyone over the age of 60 is eligible to receive �250 per property to help pay winter heating bills but charity workers are concerned that even that extra money will not be enough to help some elderly people.
The campaign was launched in Somerset last month with the Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Price and Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis among the first to pledge their support to the Surviving Winter Campaign.
Support for the campaign has grown across England and people in B&NES now have the chance to join in.
Bath and North East Somerset Care and Repair energy efficiency worker Wendy Lovell is hoping that those who are able to will offer the extra money they receive to help people less fortunate than themselves.
She said figures showed that the number of older people dying prematurely during the winter months in B&NES were among the highest in England.
In 2008/09 in B&NES 142 vulnerable people died from causes directly attributable to the cold and poor living conditions and of these 98 per cent were over 70 years of age.
The figures also show that older people in rural areas are more likely to die from the cold than those in cities.
There are more than 30,000 people in B&NES in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment.
Ms Lovell said: "So many old people suffer considerably over the winter months because of the cost of fuel. We find that they will often live in just one room and often forgo food just to keep warm.
"People who are frail and elderly can die because of the cold. They can become isolated and with such a cold December they are finding their fuel costs are escalating."
The appeal is being backed by High Littleton resident Barbara Green who said it was important for people to think about those who could not afford heating bills.
She said: "I am fortunate and have double glazing and insulation in my home but it is important that those who can forgo the extra money donate to help others.
"So many people don't seem to be able to manage even with the extra fuel payment so for those who can't manage the appeal is a good thing."
Deb Appleby, chief executive of Quartet Community Foundation, said: "If just a small percentage of people feel that they could donate their winter fuel payment we would be able to help local older people literally survive the winter and cope with the very cold weather."
Quartet is working with charities Age Concern and B&NES and Care and Repair to ensure financial and practical assistance is available when and where it is most needed.
To make a donation visit www.localgiving.com/SurvivingWinterCampaign or send a cheque made payable to the Surviving Winter Campaign along with a completed Gift Aid form to Quartet Community Foundation, Royal Oak House, Royal Oak Avenue, Bristol BS1 4GB.
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