With rising fuel bills and the prospect of another cold winter, older and vulnerable people are at risk. Over recent winters, there have been on average 347 “excess winter deaths” in Suffolk each year, over and above what you would naturally expect to see, according to ONS data. The vast majority of these deaths are people aged over 65. In addition, almost 30,000 households in Suffolk are experiencing fuel poverty.

Community foundations all over the UK are coordinating the campaign. What they collect, thanks to the generosity of the British public, can then be directly targeted to help those locally who struggle to get through the winter. Funds raised in Suffolk will remain in Suffolk, to be distributed by Citizens Advice Bureaux and Warm Homes Healthy People to those most in need.