Festive fundraising keeps older people warm & well this winter

26th January 2023

With temperatures this winter dipping to -7C in some parts of Cumbria, the fundraising efforts of the local people in the village of Mungrisdale has meant that more vulnerable older people will be warm this winter.

Judith Egan has supported the Winter Warmth Appeal for many years and this year raised £4,300 by teaching wreath workshops, coffee mornings, collecting generous winter fuel allowance donations and a stall at Mungrisdale craft fair. Over the years Judith has supported our winter initiative, raising more than £14,000 in total.

Judith Egan introduced the Winter Warmth Appeal to the village community and a film night and craft fair raised more than £700 for the appeal.

The Winter Warmth Appeal was set up by Cumbria Community Foundation in 2010 to make sure that vulnerable older people who may have to choose between heating and eating, can stay warm and well through the cold weather.

The Foundation doubled its fundraising target this year to £500,000 as the soaring cost-of-living crisis means this winter poses a serious threat to older people who already struggle to afford heating at home.

Judith said: “The Mungrisdale community has come together and enjoyed raising funds for the Winter Warmth Appeal. It gets better and better each year. The support from the local community is just wonderful. This is a nationwide problem, but Cumbria Community Foundation has excelled at promoting the Winter Warmth Appeal in our county. Please join the campaign and help protect the elderly to keep warm this year and every year.”

In partnership with Age UK across the county and Copeland Age and Advice Service, Cumbria Community Foundation has been able to award more than £400,000 to hundreds of older people helping to keep them warm, safe and well while easing financial pressure during the cold season. While this is an amazing achievement, there are still many older people who desperately need support.

Jenny Benson, Director of Programmes & Partnerships at Cumbria Community Foundation, said:“It’s more important than ever that the Winter Warmth Appeal receives widespread support, and we are very thankful for Judith’s and the Mungrisdale community’s generous donations again this year.

“We’ve been astounded by the magnitude of support we’ve received for this year’s Winter Warmth Appeal so far, particularly in light of the cost-of-living crisis. We’ve seen many people generously passing on their larger Winter Fuel Payment, and others donating their monthly energy rebate. We’re hugely grateful to everyone who has donated – and particularly those who donate year after year. Without your support, we know lots of older people in Cumbria would be suffering in silence during these long, cold winter months.”

If you would like to support the Winter Warmth Appeal and organise your own fundraiser, visit here.

Alternatively, you can call 01900 825760 Monday – Friday between 9am and 5pm or send a cheque payable to ‘Cumbria Community Foundation’ (write Winter Warmth on the back) and post to Cumbria Community Foundation, Dovenby Hall, Dovenby, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 0PN.

« BACK