This year, over 50% of our communities are going to struggle to pay their energy bills for the first time, even on 'ordinary incomes'. For those people who were already poor and living on Universal Credit, they face a winter of intolerable hardship.

People in our communities right now are telling us they are starving, and others are talking about stopping topping up their energy meters. There is just nothing left to cut back- even last winter, people were turning to food banks to survive. This winter, the inflationary increases are leading to parents skipping meals so their children can eat, children skipping meals. The elderly saying they are not going to heat their homes. We have seen a spike in calls from people telling us they will commit suicide because they can't afford to live.

No-one should have to live like this, and if we all work together, we can try and stop people from coming to genuine harm. We don't want to lose anyone through suicide or malnutrition this winter, two very real possibilities as the cost of living bites.

Your donation can make a huge difference. It could be a lifeline energy grant to someone that hasn't got the money to heat their homes. It could be an emergency food supply for those that are in greatest need with empty cupboards and mouths to feed. It could make a difference to keeping an elderly person alive this winter.

We are encouraging people to donat whatever they can , or if they are in the position, the £400 donation they have received from Government towards the cost of living through their energy bills (which will be credited directly to your energy supplier in £66.00 a month installments) which has been issued to all households- whatever their income. We know for higher income earners, they might want to put this to greater use helping people less fortunate then themselves- and help those in need.

Your donation will be used to maintain our emergency critical advice services to people most in need, and we will ensure that they get the critical care, advice and support they need in their time of crisis- whatever that may be.

We're all in this together, and we can get through it together. Thank you for your time and generosity. If you are reading this and can't afford to donate, simply share on socials, one share can often lead to so many donations, that simple act can make a huge difference!