The combined effects of fuel poverty and pre-existing medical conditions are proving fatal for older people across the country with statistics revealing that one older person dies every seven minutes during the winter months.Tracy Melling, Chief Executive of the Foundation commented: “Although this winter has been unseasonably warm and wet to date, the weather has now started to turn very cold. Not only are older people more vulnerable to poor health from the effects of the cold, they are also likely to become more isolated and less likely to venture out of their homes. It is awful to think of an older person having to choose between eating and heating this winter”.

The Foundation is urging anyone who receives a winter fuel allowance and does not need it, to donate it to the Surviving Winter Appeal, so the money can be “recycled” to help older people across Dorset get through the winter months. The Foundation is working with Citizens Advice Bureaus across Dorset to distribute winter warmer grants to older people in fuel poverty. Older people who would like to apply for a grant should contact their local Citizens Advice Bureau.Funding raised from generous donations from the public since the re-launch of the Appeal in mid-November last year has already helped over 100 local older people over Christmas funding activities such as Christmas lunches and community events during December.

Funding raised from generous donations from the public since the re-launch of the Appeal in mid-November last year has already helped over 100 local older people over Christmas funding activities such as Christmas lunches and community events during December.Matthew Billingsley from Mindful, one of the funded groups explained: ‘The £300 grant made such a difference to our membership of North Dorset based older people with mental health problems. The funded Christmas Experience enabled us to provide a supportive environment in which our members, carers and their family were able to come together as one to eat well and enjoy this special time of year’.

Matthew Billingsley from Mindful, one of the funded groups explained: ‘The £300 grant made such a difference to our membership of North Dorset based older people with mental health problems. The funded Christmas Experience enabled us to provide a supportive environment in which our members, carers and their family were able to come together as one to eat well and enjoy this special time of year’.

The Guardian has just published a story ( 20.01.2016) on the shocking winter mortality statistics among older people.

To donate to the Surviving Winter Appeal click here.