LATEST data estimates that around 6,500 pensioners in Somerset face a choice between heating and eating this winter.

Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) has also revealed that almost 11 per cent of households in the county live in fuel poverty, and cold weather is a prime cause of over 500 preventable deaths a year – often worsened by living in older or isolated rural homes.

This year’s Surviving Winter campaign – which encourages people who can afford it to donate some or all of their Winter Fuel Payment to help local people who are unable to afford to heat their homes – has been launched by SCF.

Last year over 500 elderly people living in Somerset were helped to stay warm and well through the cold winter months, thanks to the generosity of local donors who donated over £100,000 to Surviving Winter. SCF hopes to build on that support this winter.

Thanks to support from a generous funder and The Big Give, online donations to the campaign that are made during the week-long Big Give Christmas Challenge – midday Tuesday December 3 to midday Tuesday December 10 – will be doubled. Not only will a donation be worth twice as much, but SCF will also be able to help even more older and isolated people across Somerset feel warm, safe and well this winter.

Glastonbury Festival organiser and long-time Surviving Winter supporter Michael Eavis (pictured) has endorsed the campaign for another year: "The Surviving Winter campaign appealed to me right from the start,” he said.

“If everyone who can afford it gave their Winter Fuel Payment to Somerset Community Foundation’s Surviving Winter appeal, hundreds of our pensioners across Somerset would have a more comfortable winter.

“I’m very happy to donate my Winter Fuel Payment to Somerset Community Foundation again this year.”

To donate to Surviving Winter, visit www.somersetcf.org.uk/winter or call 01749 344949. A donation form is also available to download from the Somerset Community Foundation website or fill in the Surviving Winter Gift Aid Declaration Form – in this Friday’s Free Press – when sending send a cheque.

For information on how to apply for a Surviving Winter grant, contact either Community Council for Somerset on 01823 331222 or Age UK Somerset on 01823 345610 or visit: www.somersetcf.org.uk/winter.