The Community Foundation in Wales has launched Surviving Winter 2013 - a campaign which matches people who care with organisations supporting older people and families suffering from food and fuel poverty this winter.
Since first participating in this UK wide campaign in 2011, the Foundation has awarded £17,592 in grants to organisations providing essential support to people in need.
Some examples of grants that the Foundation has made with donations from the Surviving Winter campaign include:
£1,215 to Denbighshire Care & Repair to buy 100 ‘Warm Packs’, (snuggie blankets, a hot water bottle, thermal socks and soup) a kit bag of essential supplies needed for those who struggle to afford to heat their homes.
Age Cymru received £4,000 that was used to buy 60 electric blankets for the elderly, and also enabled them to subsidise the cost of boiler replacements and repairs for the most vulnerable people.
Understanding how to be more energy efficient, save money and stay warm is vital for older people living on a tight budget, so last year the Foundation awarded a grant to National Energy Action to spread awareness and explain how vulnerable people can do just that. Their ‘energy efficient’ bingo sessions were an engaging way of learning some helpful tips on how to save money on their energy bills and how to apply for financial help.
The Rt. Rev John Davies, Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, explains why he supports Surviving Winter:
“It is estimated that 30% of households in Wales are suffering from fuel poverty and the latest statistics show that were 1,900 unnecessary winter deaths in Wales last year. The Surviving Winter campaign is a great way for those who are concerned about this issue to support those in need this winter.
As a trustee of the Community Foundation in Wales, I’m delighted to support the Foundations work in matching donors with do-ers, and to see such good examples of how local giving can make a difference in local communities.”
Donations can be made directly to the Community Foundation in Wales through our JustGiving page: http://www.justgiving.com/survivingwinterwales.
