Surviving winter Appeal to help the vulnerable
AN appeal has been launched to support older and vulnerable people in North Somerset through the winter months, after the number of deaths reached its highest levels in four decades.
New research has revealed that deaths last winter hit the highest levels since 1976 with more than 130 people needlessly dying in North Somerset during the coldest months of the year.
Now local charity The Quartet Foundation has launched its Surviving Winter Appeal asking local residents to help older and vulnerable people get through the cold winter months.
Many local older people who do not need their winter fuel allowance – plus other generous local people – have donated to the appeal to help people faced with choosing between paying the bills and putting food on the table and those who are socially isolated.
Winter is a dangerous time for old and vulnerable people.
Provisional data for England and Wales shows that excess winter deaths hit their highest level in more than 40 years during 2017-18, when an estimated 50,100 people died – 45% higher than the previous year.
The Office for National Statistics comes up with the excess winter deaths figure by comparing the number of additional deaths between December and March to the rest of the year.
Figures show there were 5,200 excess winter deaths in south west England in 2017/2018, compared with 3,130 in 2016/2017.
Quartet Foundation chief executive Sue Turner said: “It’s amazing how people respond every winter to support the appeal and help spread some cheer during the cold winter months. Whether it’s lunch clubs fighting isolation and loneliness, community transport schemes taking people to the shops and doctor’s appointments or grants to help them pay their fuel bills, the £177,000 raised since 2011 has already made an enormous difference to the lives of elderly and vulnerable local people.
“We couldn’t do this without the support of people across the region so we’re asking those who can afford it to help elderly people in need get through the cold winter months.”
Donations are helping older and vulnerable people in many ways including providing community transport during the winter months and grants to ensure people keep warm and eat well.
Money is also spent on providing items like hot water bottles, blankets and flasks and to help with installing energy efficient measures.
Groups that benefited from the last appeal include SWAN Advice Network (towards the provision of Community Transport), West of England Rural Network, South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice Bureau and LiveWest Housing.
To donate visit the Surviving Winter Appeal donation page https://quartetcf.org.uk/news/surviving-winter-appeal-launch-2/ or go directly to https://quartetcf.org. uk/donate-now/ and select ‘Surviving Winter’ from the drop down menu.