By Chris Cornford
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) has launched the Surviving Winter 2020-2021 campaign to help tackle fuel poverty for older and vulnerable people struggling to keep warm at winter time.
The Surviving Winter campaign is asking those who receive the Government Winter Fuel Payment to donate some or all of it, if they are able to do so, to help those less fortunate on the Isle of Wight.
Families, individuals and businesses wishing to lend their support to the campaign can make a donation online at virginmoneygiving.com/fund/SurvWinter.
As temperatures begin to drop, leading most of us to boost our heating thermostats, older residents need extra support. For people living with limited financial means, they simply may not be able to afford to top up their electricity meter to keep warm or they may be anxious about using their cooker to heat food, due to fear of the gas bill arriving on the doormat. Choosing to keep warm may mean using finances needed for groceries or medicine.
Grant Cornwell MBE, HIWCF Chief Executive, said: “The Surviving Winter campaign relies on generous donations from the public, where we ask residents in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight to either recycle their Government Winter Fuel Payment if they are able to, or to make a much-needed donation to support the campaign. Last winter the campaign raised £16,000 from donors who felt inspired to help older people living in fuel poverty in our local communities.”
Surviving Winter grants are distributed on the Island through The Footprint Trust to help vulnerable people to stay warm, eat well and remain mobile during the coldest months, including practical assistance to travel to medical appointments or assistance with shopping for essentials. You can call them on 822282.
Press Release 
Isle of Wight Observer