Cumbria Community Foundation has run its Winter Warmth Appeal every year since 2010. In that time, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have raised more than £3m to help Cumbria’s most vulnerable older people keep warm and well through the winter months.

Sadly the needs of the older people who we help through the appeal have increased and the continued support of our donors will be vital this winter.

Watch our Winter Warmth Appeal 2025 video

Hundreds of older people in Cumbria are in danger of becoming ill or even dying because of the cold. The county has very high levels of  ‘excess winter deaths’ – people who die because they cannot afford to heat their homes and feed themselves properly, which can be as high as 500 older people in a bad winter.

We collect your generous donations and share them with vulnerable older people who struggle to heat their homes, so they can stay warm and healthy during winter. There are different ways to donate to help older people in Cumbria.

This winter we once again ran a match funding challenge for six weeks in November and December. All money donated to the appeal in this period was matched £1 for £1, thanks to the generosity of our match funding champions: Allan Stobarts Lubricants & Fuels, Hadfield Trust, Harvey Family Fund, John Laing Charitable Trust, Johnson Fund, Sellafield Ltd, SP Electricity North West, Roseland Trust, WCF Ltd, Westmorland & Furness Council and private donors.

Last winter we raised a total of £486,260, enabling us to make 1,227 household grants through delivery partners Age UK and Copeland Age & Advice Service, benefitting 1,570 vulnerable older people across the county. To find out the difference the fund made, please read our Winter Warmth Fund Report.

“The cold affects my breathing”

Here, some of the people who received grants last year explain the difference it made to them:

“The cold affects my breathing, and that’s when I start to get angina pains. My flat gets so cold, but I’ll sit here with three jumpers on and a blanket because I daren’t put the heating on. Last year I got a grant and it meant I knew I could put the heating on once it got really cold. It’s been a godsend, it really has. I’d like to say thank you very much, and ask everyone to donate if they can.” John, 85, of Penrith

“I feel very fortunate to have received the grant. I have a health condition that means I need to stay warm. I need warmth to stay healthy, like many people of my age do. I’m very, very grateful to everybody that gives to the appeal.” Pat, 80, of Barrow

“I have gas central heating but my bills have gone up so much, I worry about turning it on. I’m the coldest person on Earth! The warmest place is in bed, but you shouldn’t have to live like that. The grant makes a great difference. I can’t stress how much it helps to know you’ve got that money coming. It’s a lot of money to me. It’s a great help.” Christine, 72, of Carlisle

“It just makes you feel less frightened to put your heating on instead of putting on three dressing gowns. I have got emphysema and the dry air doesn’t help my breathing. So I like to heat the house through a few times a day rather than have it on all the time. The grant also made me more able to have hot meals.” Sheila, 70, of Workington

Independent review

This year we have also worked with PS Research who have undertaken an independent review of the Winter Warmth Appeal. You can read their report here.

If you know someone aged 60 or over who may need support from the fund, please click here.

We’re sharing simple information on ways that people can help keep warm. If you know people who are vulnerable to the cold this winter, please let them know how they can access support.