Suffolk organisations join up with Surviving Winter appeal

More than 170,000 Suffolk residents, estimated to be 90% of older people living in the county, are now no longer entitled to winter fuel payments after a government move made them only available to those on pension credit or other means-tested benefits.

The foundation would typically ask those who were in receipt of the winter fuel payments but did not need them to donate them.

However, following the cuts, Suffolk Community Foundation is now asking anyone who is able to get involved.

L-R, Amanda Bloomfield (Gatehouse), Jonathan Mason-Gordon (Citizens Advice East Suffolk), Yvonne Mason (High Sheriff of Suffolk), Wendy Quantrill (Suffolk Building Society), Anna Hughes (SCF), Lady Clare, Countess of Euston, Hannah Bloom (SCF) and Tim Passmore (Image: www.simplycphotography.co.uk / SCF) Following the campaign launch on Monday, Amanda Bloomfield, chief executive of Gatehouse in Bury St Edmunds, said: "We understand it is sometimes difficult for those over 65 to seek help and we feel that by offering the Surviving Winter grant locally we can take away those barriers and ensure that people keep warm and receive the help they need this winter."

Meanwhile Chiara Saunders, from East Suffolk Citizens Advice, said: "We are delighted to be part of the Surviving Winter appeal and to provide support to people with the cost of heating their homes when they no longer meet the Winter Fuel Payment requirements.”

Colleen Sweeney of Sudbury & South Suffolk Citizens Advice said: "We are actively working to support clients who are caught between the pension credit maximum income levels but remain on a low income and have lost entitlement to the winter fuel payment.

"We are therefore delighted to have this opportunity to provide some financial help with the costs of keeping warm this winter."

Wendy Quantrill, marketing manager at Suffolk Building Society, added: “The Society has proudly supported the tremendous Surviving Winter campaign from day one.

"Anyone can pop into one of our ten branch locations across the county to donate over the counter by cash or cheque."

Ms Quantrill added that, as the building society did last year, it would donate the proceeds of its annual Christmas Jumper Day to the campaign. 

John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said: "As we prepare for another challenging winter, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce fully supports the Surviving Winter Appeal which has been a lifeline for vulnerable members of our community for over a decade.

"We encourage all businesses and individuals to consider how they can contribute, whether through donations, fundraising, or spreading awareness. Together, we can make a real difference and ensure that those most in need can stay warm and safe this winter."

You can make a donation online, call 01473 602602 or visit any branch of Suffolk Building Society to make a payment over the counter.