Surviving Winter is a UK-wide campaign to encourage individuals to make donations to help older and vulnerable people affected by the cold winter.

The campaign is inspired by individuals who wanted to recycle their Winter Fuel Payment to support those less fortunate than themselves.

Community Foundations across the UK are co-ordinators of the campaign. Donations collected, thanks to the generosity of the British public, will be directly targeted to help those locally who struggle to get through the winter.

Why we need this appeal

With rising fuel bills and the prospect of another cold winter, older and vulnerable people are at risk. 5.4 million households are living in fuel poverty and almost half of those are aged over 60. Each year around 20,000 more people aged 65 or over die in winter months than in other months.

Last winter there were an estimated 25,400 excess winter deaths.

Cold weather exacerbates coronary and respiratory illnesses, illnesses associated with older people. For every winter-related death there are dozens of people suffering illness and hardship, isolation, depression.

Results and outcomes

Money donated will support those most in need of help, making sure they can afford to stay warm, eat well, make and attend doctor’s appointments, get to the shops and maintain an active social life.