‘If you don’t need fuel cash, help those who do’

Those people who have recently received the Winter Fuel Allowance but who may not actually need it have been asked by the RSABI, Scotland’s only charity dedicated to helping people who have depended on the land, to consider donating the cash to someone with greater need.

Currently government assistance is paid to everyone over the age of 60, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Maurice Hankey, chief executive of RSABI, said that keeping warm at this time of the year was one of the biggest challenges facing those on low, fixed incomes.

Old housing stock in exposed rural locations, limited fuel choices and significant delivery costs all combined to make staying warm a major expense, he said.

By donating their allowance, those who had no need for it themselves could help improve the living conditions of those unable to afford their fuel bills and heat their homes.

“The Winter Fuel Allowance system has been unable to address rising fuel costs, perpetuating the hardship of those who fear the next bill arriving and choose to leave their heating switched off,” Hankey said.

“If you receive the allowance but do not really need it to keep yourself warm, please consider donating it to RSABI so that we can pass it on to someone for whom it really would make a difference. We guarantee that every donation received will go straight out this winter to someone from the land-based sector, in need of a warmer home.

Hankey also appealed to anyone who was in need of extra help to contact the RSABI.