This year's Surviving Winter Appeal aims to raise £25,000 to support vulnerable households facing fuel poverty this winter.

Why is support needed for households facing fuel poverty?

With an unprecedented energy crisis, fuel poverty poses a serious threat to Cambridgeshire households, with support needed more than ever for the most severely affected members of our community.

As the energy crisis has taken hold of the nation, the threat is ever more significant with increasing energy bills. Despite the welcomed government interventions, the poorest households will still struggle to afford their energy bills this winter, pushing them into fuel poverty. People face falling into debt, cutting back on other essentials and using extreme rationing strategies, such as only heating one room, wearing coats indoors and using public spaces to stay warm. Too many people may face a desperate choice between eating or heating.

A cold home means a bigger threat of cold-related death or illness, with approximately 35,000 excess winter deaths each year in England and Wales (UK Government, 2020). With a rise in fuel poverty this year, this number is likely to increase. Hundreds of vulnerable people in Cambridgeshire may die this winter due to being cold.

How does the Surviving Winter Appeal aim to help?

The funds raised by the Surviving Winter Appeal will be distributed by Cambridgeshire Community Foundations nominated charitable partner organisations: Cambridge Aid, Citizens Advice Cambridge, Citizens Advice Peterborough, Citizens Advice Rural Cambs, Cambridge City Food Bank and CHS Group.

Households who need help to stay warm and have access to energy this winter can apply to these partner organisations, which will use the money raised to make payments or purchases relating to energy and heating, such as topping up pre-payment meters. Without the support, people may face no warmth in their radiators to keep the house warm and no heat on the hob to cook a meal.

Citizens Advice Peterborough are proud to be partnering with the Surviving Winter Appeal yet again this year. They have reported an increased demand for support of over 30% due to the cost-of-living crisis and the difficulty families are facing to buy food and heat their homes.

Update | March 2023

We understand that the need to support those facing fuel poverty extends beyond the winter. The high cost of living will continue to put a strain on families and individuals, with some people continuing to struggle to afford energy bills. They might not be able to afford to turn on their hob to cook a warm meal, keep their refrigerator running or charge a child's laptop to help them study.

Therefore, this year, we have decided to extend the Surviving Winter Appeal's support beyond the usual end time of March. We will continue the appeal until we receive no further donations, and all funds are exhausted. Therefore, if you are in a position to help, please donate to help us extend the support available for households who may be struggling with energy costs.