Winter fuel cash charity sees drop in donations

Only those on pension credit will continue to get the payment to help with their fuel bills

The organisers of charity appeal that relied on people donating their unwanted winter fuel payments say they have already had donors pull out as the government scrap the scheme.

MPs voted to scrap the winter fuel payments for most pensioners on Tuesday.

The 'Surviving Winter' appeal has raised more than £1.5m in Somerset alone. The Somerset Community Foundation is now looking into other ways to raise funds.

The appeal was started in 2010 when one of the members of the charity realised he did not need his payment.

"An expensive time"

Justin Sargent, SCF's Chief Executive, said people had told them they were sorry but they could not support the scheme this year.

"We do understand that if the government gives you £200 or £300, it's easy to pass that on" he said.

The charity is now looking into new ways to raise the funds, so it can continue helping those who most need it.

A total of 348 MPs backed the government on Tuesday's vote, meaning only pensioners who are receiving pension credit will continue to receive the winter fuel payments.