Somerset charity raises £1.25m for people in fuel poverty

A charity has raised £1.25m for people who live in fuel poverty through people donating their Winter Fuel Payment.

People who were born before 25 September 1957 get between £250 and £600 to help with their heating bills.

The Somerset Community Foundation was launched by Peter Wyman in 2010, when he realised he did not need government money to pay for his fuel.

Mr Wyman said he wanted to donate the money to someone who needed it more.

He added: "One elderly woman told us before she received our help, she could only have a shower once a fortnight.

"Our money enabled her to have a shower every day and she felt so much better in herself."

'Gravely concerned'

About 800 older people in Somerset get help from the appeal every year, with a cash grant of up to £500 to help pay their energy bills.

Audrey, 72, who received a Surviving Winter grant last year, said: "I don't know how I manage at the moment. Right now I'm overdrawn and I'm incredibly careful with what I spend - and with my heating. Even though it's getting colder, I still don't put it on."

The charity says the number of old people living in fuel poverty has doubled since 2022, with an estimated 10,000 pensioners in Somerset in this position.

Laura Blake, philanthropy director at the charity, said: "We're gravely concerned.

"Many of those we support have disabilities or long-term health conditions, and staying warm is crucial to keeping them safe and well as the winter hits."