With the cold weather fast approaching and the cost of living ever increasing, this winter will be extremely challenging for many people in the region. If you want to help, donate to Two Ridings Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter Fund.
The Surviving Winter Fund exists to get the right support right now to the people most likely to be affected in the region, no matter what age they are.
In North & East Yorkshire one in seven people live in fuel poverty. This is one of the worst rates in England and it is not just older people who suffer.
Fuel poverty is affecting the older man in his 80s who won’t put his thermostat up beyond 15 degrees so that he doesn’t go into debt, no matter how badly the cold is impacting his health.
Families with young children have the highest levels of fuel poverty at the moment – one in five – and it rises to a massive 28% for single-parent households.
Young, working-age people are as vulnerable as our older generation; living in private rented accommodation with the poorest energy efficiency or on minimum wage/universal credit and unable to afford to heat their homes.
Those with young families are literally having to choose between feeding the children and putting the heating on.
Fuel poverty is affecting the single young mum with three kids under 5 who has to choose between putting money on the electric meter or buying baby milk for her youngest.
Surviving Winter brings businesses, individuals and communities together to put a stop to excess winter deaths and hardship for local people all over the region.
The fund is distributed to partner organisations – like Age UK, Citizens Advice, Charities supporting the homeless and the Yorkshire Energy Doctor – who then reach out to the people most in need.
That might be to supplement fuel payments, help them switching energy companies or it may be as simple as money to buy blankets or put food on the table.
Donations can be made directly Two Ridings Community Foundation at cafonline.org
