MP supports Surviving Winter Appeal Fund

23rd November 2012
Keeping Warm in Winter - MP supports Surviving Winter Appeal Fund

Gordon Henderson MP has shown his support for the Surviving Winter Appeal Fund, which encourages the over-60s to donate their Winter Fuel Payment to charity.

A number of people who receive a Winter Fuel Payment from the Government to help with their fuel costs feel they do not need this money and would rather donate their £200 to a good cause.

The Fund launched by the Kent Community Foundation, with support from Saga, raised nearly £1 million nationwide last year and has distributed over £15 million over the last ten years.

Mr Henderson said:

“I fully support the Kent Community Foundation (KCF) ‘Surviving Winter Appeal Fund’, which provides an opportunity for wealthier pensioners who are in receipt of the Government’s Winter Fuel Payment to pass it on to pensioners who are less well off than them. There are many elderly people who will struggle to keep warm this winter because of increased energy bills. I think this is an extremely sensible way of channelling charitable donations directly to the right people.”

Fuel poverty is a concern for Mr Henderson, which has encouraged him to run a ‘Keeping Warm in Winter’ campaign across Sittingbourne and Sheppey to help his constituents find the advice and support they need to reduce their energy bills and become more energy efficient.

In October Mr Henderson organised a roundtable discussion with local charities and community groups to discuss fuel poverty issues. As a result of this, he will be creating an energy information page on this website.

In addition, in the New Year, in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau, Mr Henderson will be holding two energy bill advice surgeries; one in Sittingbourne on 11th January and one in Sheerness on 18th January 2013. Further details will be available soon.