A �100,000 legacy from a Yeovil man is helping the Somerset Community Foundation assist local volunteer groups during the winter weather.
The Donald Lake Memorial Fund is being invested by the Foundation to provide long-term support to organisations helping the elderly in Somerset.
It is now able to allocate funds to groups such as the Mendip Care and Repair home improvement agency.
Earlier this month the foundation launched its Surviving Winter Appeal, asking anyone who can afford to forego their winter fuel payment to donate it to help local pensioners.
The campaign is endorsed by Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis and the Bishop of Bath and Wells, Peter Price.
Mr Eavis, 75, offered to sign over his winter fuel payment.
He said: "It's not very often I'm easily persuaded to support other people's ideas of charity giving, but on this occasion I could see immediately the sense and logic behind people who are reasonably well off like myself, giving their winter payment to more needy folk.
"I hope others will follow suit."
The foundation says any surplus from donations could be used to boost the Donald Lake Memorial Fund.
Justin Sargent, director at Somerset Community Foundation, said: "The very cold weather, combined with rising fuel prices and supply difficulties, means more pensioners than ever need extra help.
"The response has been fantastic but we still need to raise more.
"We also want to hear from local voluntary organisations working with the elderly to see if we can help them provide essential services during the cold weather."
Mr Sargent can be contacted on 01749 344949 or by email at justin.sargent@somersetcf.org.uk.
A similar initiative is also operating in Dorset. Contact Tina Baker at the Community Foundation for Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset on 01202 292255 or foundationadmin@cfbdp.org.
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