It is extremely challenging for people living within limited financial means to afford rising fuel bills and top-ups for their prepayment meters. Many find themselves in the difficult situation of choosing to either keep warm or buy food and recent government statistics indicate that 8,500 people died across England and Wales last winter due to cold homes.

As well as raising funds from the general public, the Surviving Winter Campaign asks those in receipt of the Governments Annual Winter Fuel Payment to donate their payment, if they are in a position to be able to do so, to help those needing help to keep warm across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

In the past five years, the HIWCF Surviving Winter Campaign has raised over £38,000 to support local people, and since the campaign began ten years ago, grants have supported 488 vulnerable people and families across the region.

HIWCF partners with Citizens Advice Hampshire and The Footprint Trust Isle of Wight to award the Surviving Winter grants, which help vulnerable people to stay warm, eat well and remain mobile, including practical assistance with travel to medical appointments and support with shopping for essential medication and groceries.

Last winter, as Covid-19 cases and deaths reached their highest peak, Citizens Advice Hampshire were able to support 56 local families with food, heat, arrears and clothing thanks to donations made to the Surviving Winter Campaign.

One of these grants supported a lady bringing up her grandchildren, following the death of her son from a brain tumour. The lady is in receipt of the state pension, and Citizens Advice were able to provide a Surviving Winter grant and also offer advice on submitting an application for a pension credit, helping to make things a little easier for the family.

HIWCF can accept cheque donations for the Surviving Winter campaign, please post to: The Chief Executive, Surviving Winter Campaign, HIWCF, The Orchard, White Hart Lane, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4AF, (cheque payable to Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation). Taxpayers donating by cheque may also wish to increase their donation, if eligible, by completing a Gift Aid Form, available on the HIWCF website: www.hiwcf.org.uk/gift-aid-declaration-online-form/