Dorset Community Foundation has launched its 14th annual Surviving Winter appeal to help save lives by keeping the elderly and vulnerable warm through the colder months.

Chief executive Grant Robson said the appeal, which last year raised more than £50,000 and helped hundreds of people, is needed now more than ever.

“Each year, an average of 590 people in Dorset die of cold-related illness because they can’t afford to heat their homes properly.

“Living in a cold house makes chronic illness like COPD and other respiratory conditions much worse, and we know that many older people skip meals or don’t cook hot food to save money on their bills.

“That just makes them weaker and ever more prone to the cold. That just isn’t right in 2024.”

The appeal, run in partnership with Citizens Advice in Dorset, distributes £200 grants to pensioners and vulnerable people aged 60 and over living in fuel poverty.

Funding helps the Citizens Advice energy team identify people at risk so they can offer the grants, plus a whole range of other support.

Katrina Ford, business development manager for Citizens Advice, said: “Our advisers identify who might need further help, which could be benefits advice or debt advice to help maximise their income.

“Often if you’re struggling with energy, you’re also struggling with food costs and maybe debt issues, so we offer other crisis support as well.

“We want to address the root of the problem and try to make people more financially stable and more confident that they know they can come back to us if they need further support.”

Her colleague, project manager Ros Dignan, said one of the main avenues of help aside from the grants is helping people discover if they’re entitled to pension credit, which would mean they are also eligible for the government’s winter fuel payment.

She said: “There’s a high demographic of people that don’t receive pension credit because they either think they’re not entitled to it, or they don’t want to ask.

“We’re trying to get the message out there to people who are worried about missing out on the winter fuel payment to come and talk to us so that we can have a look and see what’s going on for them.

“We’re trying to reach areas of high deprivation across the county, which is why we have our energy advice bus going out into communities to talk to people.”

The Citizens Advice energy team also signposts people to other agencies and charities, such as Ridgewater Energy, where they can get free home insulation and other energy help.

Lynda Todd had to give up work after being diagnosed with COPD and an eye condition that has left her partially sighted.

She said she struggles to heat her two-bedroom home.

“I just have one radiator on downstairs and one in the bathroom for a little while and I don’t use my oven.

“But I still got into debt. It’s horrible and the stress makes me feel worse.”

Last year, she was helped with a £200 fuel grant and food vouchers.

“It made me feel like I’d had a weight lifted off my shoulders,” said Lynda.

“It gave me breathing space, and I was able to pay off my arrears and not worry so much.”

Grant Robson is appealing for people to donate to the appeal to help it support some of the 20,000 people living in fuel poverty in the county.

“Last year, because of the wonderful support we received, we were able to help more than 400 people.

“This year, with many fewer people receiving the government’s winter fuel payment, we’re worried the need will be even greater.

“We’re delighted to be working with Citizens Advice because of the fantastic support they provide to people.

“Every pound that people can spare will help us and Citizens Advice to keep people safe and warm this winter.”

• To donate, visit dorsetcommunityfoundation.org.uk