Surviving Winter Appeal: helping local people stay warm this Christmas
Following the recent launch of this year’s Surviving Winter Appeal, Cambridgeshire Community Foundation is sharing the real-life impact of support for people experiencing fuel poverty.
Across Cambridgeshire, 32,190 households are living in fuel poverty, according to a recent National Energy Action (NEA) report.
The percentage of households facing fuel poverty in Peterborough is expected to be greater than in any other district in Cambridgeshire. This winter, it is estimated that 5,977 households in Peterborough are in fuel poverty.
According to NEA, the average annual fuel bill is £1,720 - almost £500 more than in 2021.
As energy costs and household bills continue to put pressure on members of our community in situations that increase vulnerability, the appeal provides vital help to those struggling to heat their homes during the coldest months of the year.
A local resident has shared the profound difference the Foundation's support has made. Her story illustrates the daily reality facing many people this winter - and the life-changing impact that grants can have:
“I was in tears of relief when I received the email this morning with the wonderful news that I have been accepted for a grant. I can't even begin to tell you what a difference this will make to me.
For the last several years, due to numerous physical and mental health issues, and the effect they have had on my capacity to earn a decent living, I have been unable to properly heat my home and have simultaneously fallen into debt.
I will now have one less thing I need to constantly worry about. Thanks to your kindness and generosity, I’m looking forward to sharing a warm and cosy Christmas with my family, and I can't thank you enough for helping me make that a reality.”
She adds that she hopes her story inspires people to donate to the appeal, so that “no one has to worry about keeping themselves or their families warm again.”
Sadly, her experience is far from unique. Many older people, carers, lower-income households, families, and individuals living with long-term health conditions are facing the impossible choice between heating their home and eating a hot meal.
Donations to the Surviving Winter Appeal help to provide grants for people struggling to afford energy bills, but the effect of that grant is felt much more widely. The support helps to prevent dangerous cold-related health conditions and energy debt, as well as offering warmth, dignity, and peace of mind during the winter months.
Michael O’Toole, CEO at Cambridgeshire Community Foundation, said: “Every winter, we witness the extraordinary difference that even a relatively small grant can make. For someone living in a cold home, weighed down by worry and debt, this support doesn’t just bring warmth; it also brings dignity and hope. The Surviving Winter Appeal is powered by local generosity, and every donation helps us reach another neighbour in need and give more people the chance of a warm, safe Christmas.”
To find out more about the Surviving Winter Appeal and how you can give the gift of warmth this Christmas, visit: www.cambscf.org.uk/survivingwinter
Those looking for support with their energy costs this winter should get in touch with the Foundation’s partners who will be able to assess their situation and refer them for a grant: