Wealthier pensioners urged to donate fuel payments

The Surviving Winter campaign, run by the Community Foundation Network (CFN) and backed by Saga, is supported by celebrities including actor Sir David Jason, TV personalities Sir Michael Parkinson and Sir Terry Wogan, as well as politician Ann Widdecombe and health guru Rosemary Conley.

Each year around 20,000 more people aged 65 or over die in winter months than in other months. Last winter there were an estimated 25,400 excess winter deaths in the UK.

It is believed that for every winter-related death, many more people are suffering illness and hardship.

CFN said almost half of the 5.4 million households living in fuel poverty are over-60s. Fuel poverty is classed as when more than 10 per cent of a household’s income is spent on utility bills.

All of the Big Six energy companies, including ScottishPower and SSE, have hiked their tariffs in recent months.

Saga director Dr Ros Altman said: “Some of our customers last year wrote to us to say they would like their Winter Fuel Payment to help others less fortunate than themselves.

“With rising fuel costs and the government’s decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment this year, vulnerable older people are suffering a double whammy, so Saga is fully behind this new ‘fuel-anthropic’ venture.”

The scheme allows pensioners who are better off to donate all or part of their winter fuel payments to CFN, which then distributes the cash to groups helping those who are worse off.

“We hope others will see the work that’s being done and also lend their support,” added Stephen Hammersley, CFN’s chief executive.

The government’s annual tax-free winter fuel payments are made to eligible people to help towards their winter heating costs.

Pensioners aged over 80 received £400 last year, but this has been cut to £300 this year. Those aged between 60 and 80 received £250 last year and will receive £200 this year.