Age UK Oxfordshire asks people to donate Winter Fuel Payment to the elderly

Sir Muir Gray said he had been "surprised" to receive a letter saying he qualified for the Winter Fuel Payment

A charity is asking people to donate their Winter Fuel Payment to those who may need it more this winter.

Age UK Oxfordshire's Share Your Warmth campaign will use the donations to support the most isolated and lonely older people in the county.

The government support payment is issued to everyone over 66 to help towards heating bills.

British physician Sir Muir Gray, who has championed the campaign, said it was not "the best use of public money."

Age UK Oxfordshire said that the risk factors for older people, such as depression, isolation, loneliness and inactivity are worse during the winter.

The charity said Winter Fuel Payment donations would help local older people cope better by providing them with trained volunteers, who could help reduce loneliness and guide them through exercises.

The annual, tax-free payment of between £250 and £600, is not means-tested and so is paid to everyone who is eligible, regardless of their financial situation.

Sir Gray said he had been "surprised" to receive a letter saying he qualified for it.

"I started then to think how many people are there like me who are getting the basic Winter Fuel Payment," he said.

"So it seemed sensible to start saying 'Is this the best use of public money?'. And I don't think it is.

"What we need to do is provide a better environment for people. But it's a combination of environmental change and income that we need to work on."

Anyone who would like to support the campaign should contact the charity via the Age UK Oxfordshire website or call 0345 450 1276.

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].