Cumbria Community Foundation Launches Winter Warmth Appeal in Response to Dire Need for Heating and Food Among Older Residents
As the colder months approach, concerns are growing for the well-being of older residents in Cumbria who are facing a difficult decision: whether to heat their homes or put food on the table. According to recent data, up to 500 older people in Cumbria die each winter due to inability to afford both.
In light of this alarming situation, Cumbria Community Foundation is calling on the public to support their annual Winter Warmth Appeal, which has raised an impressive £3 million since its inception in 2010. The funds collected through the appeal are distributed in the form of grants to older people in need, providing them with the means to stay warm without having to worry about the cost.
Last year alone, over £270,000 was awarded in grants through delivery partners Age UK and Copeland Age & Advice Service, benefiting 1,570 vulnerable older people across the county. The impact of these grants is evident in the stories of individuals like John, 85, who received a grant last year and expressed his gratitude, saying, “Last year I got a grant and it meant I knew I could put the heating on once it got really cold. It’s been a godsend, it really has. I’d like to say thank you very much, and ask everyone to donate if they can.”
Pat, 80, who has received a grant for the past five years, also shared her appreciation, stating, “I feel very fortunate to have received the grant. I have a health condition that means I need to stay warm. I need warmth to stay healthy, like many people of my age do. I’m very, very grateful to everybody that gives to the appeal.”
Christine, 72, another recipient of the grant, emphasized the impact the money made in her life, saying, “I have gas central heating but my bills have gone up so much, I worry about turning it on. I’m the coldest person on Earth! The warmest place is in bed, but you shouldn’t have to live like that. The grant makes a great difference. I can’t stress how much it helps to know you’ve got that money coming. It’s a lot of money to me. It’s a great help.”
Sheila, 70, echoed these sentiments, saying, “It just makes you feel less frightened to put your heating on instead of putting on three dressing gowns. I have got emphysema and the dry air doesn’t help my breathing. So I like to heat the house through a few times a day rather than have it on all the time. The grant also made me more able to have hot meals.”
In order to further increase the impact of the Winter Warmth Appeal, Cumbria Community Foundation has launched a match funding challenge, where all donations made to the appeal will be matched £1 for £1. This generous opportunity is made possible by match funding champions Allan Stobarts Lubricants & Fuels, Hadfield Trust, Harvey Family Fund, John Laing Charitable Trust, Johnson Fund, Sellafield Ltd, SP Electricity North West, Roseland Trust, WCF Ltd, Westmorland & Furness Council, and private donors.
Karen Hunter, Customer Inclusion Manager at SP Electricity North West, shared their motivation for being a funding champion, stating, “At SP Electricity North West, customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re always seeking out meaningful partnerships that make a real difference in our communities. As a funding champion, we’ll be doubling donations £1 for £1 over a six-week period starting 10 November, up to a total of £20,000.”
Dr Jenny Benson, Director of Programmes & Partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, expressed the importance of this appeal, saying, “We know this winter is going to be incredibly hard for many older vulnerable members of our community who cannot afford to heat their homes adequately. We’d like to say an enormous thank you to all of our match funding champions whose generosity means that anyone donating to our appeal before 19 December will make double the difference.”
She continued, “We are proud to have helped thousands of older people since the appeal began in 2010, but the need has not gone away. Please donate to the appeal if you can to ensure older people don’t have to choose between heating and eating this winter.”
To make a donation, visit https://cumbriafoundation.enthuse.com/cf/cumbria-winter-warmth-appeal-2025 or call 01900 825760 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Donations can also be made by cheque, payable to Cumbria Community Foundation with ‘Winter Warmth Fund’ written on the back, and sent to Cumbria Community