Charity appeal launched as it's revealed 75,000 in Suffolk are struggling with living costs
They're providing grants for fuel and supporting local charities
It's estimated around 75,000 households in Suffolk are struggling to meet their living costs and heat their homes as winter approaches.
That's according to the Suffolk Community Foundation, which has widened its annual Surviving Winter appeal, and renamed it the 'Suffolk Cost of Living Surviving Winter Appeal’ as a result.
The Appeal is a joint initiative by Suffolk Community Foundation, Citizens Advice Ipswich, and Suffolk councils’ Warm Homes Healthy People.
They'll be providing grants to help people pay for fuel, and supporting some charities and local food projects.
Melanie Craig, the Chief Executive of Suffolk Community Foundation said: "Across the county there are many wonderful food projects, large and small, and this year the Appeal will give grants to help some of those providing food to meet the increased demand we know they are seeing.
"We also want to help other smaller Suffolk charities who offer essential help and enable people to be self-sufficient, but are themselves facing challenges with stretched budgets.”
Last year, the Appeal raised nearly a quarter of a million pounds and provided warmth and other vital financial advice and support to over 1800 households across Suffolk.
Melanie continued: “Our challenge now is to ensure that this year’s appeal is our most successful yet.
"As always, we encourage people to hold on to their Winter Fuel Payment and other cost of living support if they need it to stay warm and well this winter. However, in the long held ‘Don’t Need it, Donate it’ spirit of this appeal, we ask that those who can make a donation, perhaps from their Government’s Winter Fuel Allowance, donate it to the Appeal."