Our Surviving Winter Appeal is re-launching today to raise donations to help local older people keep warm and well this winter. Newly released statistics reveal that during last winter 336 vulnerable people died from cold related deaths in Dorset. Donations from people who receive, but do not need their winter fuel allowance will support local older people struggling with fuel poverty, transport and other winter related issues.

Social isolation among older people is also a major focus of the Appeal. Dr Ann Hemingway, Professor of Public Health at Bournemouth University, who has undertaken extensive research on social isolation amongst older people is backing the initiative: ‘Over half of the people aged 75 and above in the UK live alone. The statistics for Dorset are even higher because of the large percentage of older people residing in the county. Social isolation has a major negative impact on mental and physical health of older people and with the decline in local services it is initiatives such as the Surviving Winter Appeal that can help save lives’.

Last year the Foundation raised nearly £25,000 helping 412 local older people including a 92 year old man who was blind and immobile living on his own on Portland. On a national level, since the launch in 2011 the Appeal has helped over 65,000 people gaining high profile supporters such as Dame Helen Mirren and Sir Terry Wogan.

To find out more and donate to the Appeal please click here.