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

The campaign was instigated by donors who wanted to forgo their Winter Fuel Payment to support those more at risk throughout the winter months.

UK Community Foundations are co-ordinators of the campaign, and what they collect,thanks to the generosity of the British public, will be distributed to local people in need.

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 older people die in winter months than in other months. Last winter there were an estimated 25,400 excess winter deaths.

For every winter-related death there will be dozens of people suffering illness and hardship, isolation, depression and having to choose between eating and heating are all factors.

Find and donate to your local Surviving Winter fund to help older and vulnerable people in your local community survive this winter.