Winter can be a lonely and worrying time. With many older and vulnerable people living alone in addition to the ongoing public health crisis, many people are still cautious about leaving their homes. The uncertainty of the coming winter months will lead to increased social isolation again this year.

Those affected cope as best they can by cutting back on essentials, rationing energy use, and taking respite in other warm places. But even then, it isnt always enough. Cold-related deaths represent the biggest weather-related source of mortality in England, and on average, there are approximately 35,000 excess winter deaths each year in England and Wales. This means hundreds of people in Cambridgeshire may die this winter because of being cold.

The fuel crisis is set to take hold of the nation and one in eight homes in Cambridgeshire live in fuel poverty, meaning that they spend more than 10% of their income on fuel. This will lead to the terrible choice for many eat or heat this winter.

Shockingly, fuel poverty is a very real issue for many across our county. Vulnerable people including families with young children and isolated older people will see fuel prices rocket. This leads to people having to choose whether to heat their homes or cook a hot meal. We are pleading with those who can, please give generously to our Surviving Winter Appeal so we can make sure the funds reach people in need this winter.

Money raised will be awarded in the form of grants to local community groups and charities who support vulnerable people to stay warm and have access to energy this winter.

In one of the most prosperous counties in the UK, many households simply cannot afford to keep adequately warm over winter. Incredibly, many parts of our county are amongst the worst nationally for fuel poverty. This matters - the cold can have direct and indirect effects on our health.

Direct effects include:

heart attack

stroke

respiratory disease

influenza

hypothermia

Indirect effects include:

poor mental health impact of living in a cold home, reduced contact with loved ones, staying at home to keep warm, getting into debt due to fuel bills, becoming socially isolated

reduced education and employment success, as a cold home affects a childs ability to study or do homework

poor diet and nutrition - lack of energy for home cooking

We are determined to do something about this. We want warm homes for thousands of vulnerable people right across Cambridgeshire.

Everyone in Cambridgeshire over the age of 65 receives a non-means-tested Winter Fuel Payment, whether they need it or not. If you don't need it, please donate an equivalent or part of it to the Surviving Winter Appeal, so that it can be given to other people or families in the county living in fuel poverty. We would also be very grateful for any donations, of any amount from people of all ages who simply want to support our appeal.

Thank-you.