'Surviving Winter' campaign to help struggling households in Cornwall
The appeal comes as more people get ready to heat their homes during the 'cold snap'
A 'Surviving Winter' campaign has launched to help support struggling households with the cost of living.
Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF) 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 the CCF 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 appeal comes as a yellow weather warning is issued for snow in some areas of Cornwall and more households are preparing to heat their homes.
Tamara Sherston-Baker, spokesperson for the Cornwall Community Foundation, said: "Organisations are saying to us they're getting people that are coming through the door that are really having to choose between heating their homes or feeding their children.
"The demand just seems to increase year on year. We thought people were really struggling last winter but it seems to be even worse this winter."
The money raised will be awarded to carefully assessed, grassroots Cornish organisations who work with individuals struggling to survive.
One organisation who was supported from CCF's 2022 campaign was the Old Bank in Camelford.
A spokesperson said: "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 1000 with food."
Since the appeal last winter, the situation for vulnerable people across the Duchy has not improved. The Foundation warns the situation for many 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.
You can donate on their website.