Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF), based near Lawhitton, are appealing to anyone who receives the Winter Fuel Payment or will receive the new Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, but does not need some or all of it, to donate the payment to their ‘Surviving Winter’ appeal. 

Donations are also invited from people who do not receive either of these allowances but still wish to support the campaign. 

The money raised will be awarded to carefully assessed, grassroots Cornish organisations who work with individuals struggling to survive.  

A spokesperson said: “Sadly, since our appeal last winter the situation for vulnerable people across the Duchy has not improved and in fact for many it has got worse. Due to the ongoing cost of living crisis many individuals and families are facing another bleak and challenging winter. 

“Those who are already financially stretched to their limit will once again struggle to heat their homes through winter, with many making heart breaking decisions to juggle basic needs.”

One organisation who was supported from the 2022 campaign was the Old Bank in Camelford.

A spokesperson from the Old Bank said: “I cannot begin to tell you just how important this funding has been to the service users we support.

“The cost of living crisis is a very scary time for a lot of us and we have supported hundreds of people with essential food, toiletries and financial support towards energy costs. 

“The charity has found itself having a significant increase in the demand for our help since November 2022. We have had parents going without food so that children can have one meal a day. 

“We have been able to provide food so that people do not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from. 

“The choice of heat or eat is a real issue that a lot of people are facing.

“Without this funding we would not have been able to help over 1,000 with food.”

To donate any unwanted winter fuel allowance funding to the Surviving Winter campaign or, if for those who do not receive the allowance but would still like to donate, visit form.jotform.com/232914004962352