The Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter campaign, now in its seventh week, has raised £50,000 to support elderly Wiltshire people who cannot afford to heat their homes this winter.

Applications are pouring in and direct grants of £200 are already being paid out to vulnerable elderly people whose health could deteriorate dangerously during the cold winter months.

The Right Reverend Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury and patron of the Community Foundation, said: “Caring for the elderly and frail in our community is a priority. I am grateful for the Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter Appeal and hope it will be well supported.”

Sarah Troughton, Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire and also a patron of the foundation, said: “I am delighted to support the Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter Appeal which is a very practical way of helping elderly and vulnerable people all over the county throughout the cold winter months.”

The campaign is calling for people to donate their Winter Fuel Payment, if they are able, or whatever they can to help the elderly and vulnerable in Wiltshire this winter.

Last year, the national Surviving Winter campaign run by Community Foundations across the country raised £1.2million with 20,000 people benefiting.

In Wiltshire £70k was raised for individual grants for financial help with fuel bills.

Kate Robinson of the Community Foundation said today: “The campaign is now in its fourth year in Wiltshire and is steadily gaining momentum.

“Surviving Winter has featured on regional TV and radio and press across the whole county. Thanks to the increased publicity, people who want to support a local cause are discovering how simply and efficiently small amounts of money can make a real difference.

“We believe it is not acceptable to let the elderly suffer and are very grateful to all our partners and contacts for helping raise awareness of the very real need right under our noses.

“Surviving Winter provides instant tangible relief for the beneficiaries and is a straightforward ‘money in money out’ appeal with 100 per cent of all donations going directly to someone who genuinely needs it.

“It is great example of what Community Foundations do best: connecting those in need locally with those who want to give; bringing voluntary sector organisations together for the benefit of the community, and in the case of Surviving Winter, potentially saving the NHS many expensive hospital admissions.”

To apply for a Surviving Winter grant contact the following organisations : CAB Wiltshire - 0844 375 2775 or 0300 456 8375 for mobiles CAB Swindon - 0844 499 4114 Aster Living Care & Repair – Swindon 01793 940094/Wiltshire 01380 735437 Age UK Wiltshire - 01380 735500 Age UK Salisbury & District - 01722 335425 Wiltshire Good Neighbours - 01380 732828 Parks Volunteer Centre - 01793 529938 Shine in the Community - 01722 427123 Wiltshire Credit Unions - 01249 248313 Swindon Credit Unions - 01793 529938 To donate : • Please send a cheque made payable to The Community Foundation to: The Community Foundation, Sandcliffe House, 21 Northgate Street, Devizes SN10 1JZ • To pay by credit card please call 01380 729284 • To donate on-line go to www.wscf.org.uk and click on the Surviving Winter link. Every £10 will be matched with another £10 • Or Text WARM215 to 70070 to donate £5 (You can donate any amount between £1 and £10