Older people living in fuel poverty shared their relief at receiving a grant to help heat their homes during the cold weather.
The Surviving Winter grants of up to £200 come from Wiltshire’s Community Foundation annual fundraising appeal to protect people who are unable to heat their homes properly which results in an average of 300 deaths each year in Wiltshire.
"...I just couldn’t believe it”
Retired Wiltshire Council social worker Marilyn Hunter, 78, who had to leave her job in 2007 after injuring her spine, has been receiving the grant for six years and described it as a ‘godsend’.
She said: “I do not like the cold, it makes my spinal injury more painful. Not being able to have a warm home would make me depressed to say the least, it really would.
Ms Hunter, who volunteers with disability sailing charity Sailability, said she was ‘a bit embarrassed’ to have to ask for help when she first contacted Age UK as ‘I have worked all my life and I have never asked for anything.’
“When they told me I could get the money I was in shock, I just couldn’t believe it,” she added.
Ms Hunter said she will ‘forever be grateful’ to those who donate, and hopes more people will support the appeal this year because of the extra financial pressure created by heating and food bills rising.
She said: “Maybe they don’t realise how miserable it can be if people have to cut down on heating, especially when they are older. It would be nice for them to hear what the grant does for people and what a difference it makes.”
"...getting a big bill is a concern to us.”
Retired market trader Pete Wells, 75, who suffers from a rare eye condition that means he is losing his sight also depends on the grant.
He and his wife Sue say keeping their rented home warm is always a struggle, Mrs Wells adding that even with the grant they have to live frugally: “We are very careful and we have the heating on a bit later and a bit lower to save some money because getting a big bill is a concern to us.”
Mr Wells said: “We are indoors a lot of the time and I have to have the lights on because of my eye problems… so getting the grant is a real relief.
“It helps to balance things out and stops us worrying. If I fret about the bills too much it makes me anxious and I have to take a tablet to calm myself down.”
"...it is heart-breaking..."
Wiltshire Community Foundation joint chief executive Fiona Oliver said: “If anyone who receives their Winter Fuel Payment really does feel they can spare some or all of it, we can recycle that money and help someone who will be dreading the cold weather and deciding to either huddle in one warm room or go without a hot meal. It really is as stark as that.
“Each year we hear stories like that of Marilyn and Pete and it is heart-breaking that people who have worked hard all their life are reduced to living in fear of a heating bill and denying themselves basic necessities because of it.”
The community foundation works with partners Age UK, Warm and Safe Wiltshire and both Swindon and Wiltshire Citizens Advice, who distribute the grants as well as provide energy-saving or benefits advice to people in fuel poverty.
To donate to the appeal, go to wiltshirecf.org.uk or call 01380 772948.
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