What stands between a family and freezing this Winter?

You Do.

Text WARM90 £10 to 70070


Winter has arrived. As the days grow colder, the nights longer, temperatures dip dramatically, and we automatically reach for the thermostat. But those already vulnerable and suffering from financial hardship do not have this luxury; instead, the onset of winter fills them with dread.  Anxiety surrounding the escalating costs of energy bills, how to afford appropriate clothing and dealing with longstanding health issues exacerbated by the cold, set in.

The families HHUGS support already live through considerable financial strain throughout the year. Winter only compounds the problems of poverty and lack of support. Many HHUGS families are amongst the 5.4 million in the UK experiencing “fuel poverty”, struggling to afford adequate heating, clothing or the measures to make their homes energy efficient. The families we support include the elderly and children who are particularly vulnerable as they are the first to succumb to preventable illnesses. Extreme cold and long dark nights make it more difficult for people to leave their homes during these months, compounding the existing feeling of loneliness and isolation. Many “invisible” ailments such as depression and anxiety return with a vengeance during this season of extended darkness and merciless cold. It is during these days of worry and despair that families need a helping hand. 

Last winter, with your support,

•    Sulaiman didn’t have to spend another night in his car but finally had a roof over his head
•    Aunty Khadijah’s home was no longer stone cold as she was now able to afford to heat her home.
•    Yusuf didn’t have to face the cold because the warm coat and decent shoes you provided protected him from the harsh season.

Through the generous support of our donors, last winter, we were able to support over 100 families, providing 189 children with winter clothing and distributing over £21,000, additional to the regular support families received, to cover the costs of energy bills.

Together, we made a difference.

Each week HHUGS receives more applications for support from new families who have been impacted by anti-terror legislation.

Help us make a difference to them this winter.

A WARMER WINTER WITH HHUGS:
Heart-warming for you and life changing for them

• Clothe a Child: £20 
  
  One in two families will be forced to cut back on clothing or food for their children to pay for heating for their homes. 
  
  "In Winter, they send us vouchers for clothing and sent us duvets to keep us warm. Allah knows the difference that HHUGS made to my life."
  
  “Whoever clothes (a believer) will be clothed from the green silk of Paradise.” (at-Tirmidhi)
  
  
• Heat a Home - £150 for Winter/£50 a month will support families struggling with bills
  
  Heating a home during long winter nights can be a costly affair. 30% of families say they avoid heating rooms like the bedroom, bathroom or living room because they are worried about the cost and at least 30% of winter deaths are caused by cold homes. Contributing towards a gas and heating bill will provide great relief to a struggling family.
  
  
• £300 for Winter/£100 a month will enable low income families to survive
  
  Our lowest income families find it difficult to manage essentials like rent, food and bills for the best part of the year, so when Winter hits, their struggle becomes even more acute, necessitating further intervention from HHUGS. Two-fifths of people affected by fuel poverty have been forced to cut back on food or skip meals.
  
  “I have to remind myself, ‘stop eating now because you don’t have anything for tomorrow.”

• Shelter a Family - £500 for one month
  
  Protect a family from the elements and ensure they have a roof over their heads this Winter by contributing to their rent.
  
  "They helped me with rent payments, without which we would be homeless. They paid for food and winter clothing. I had so much debt when I contacted HHUGS but they helped me pay off my rent arrears, my water bill and my council tax arrears, which lifted a huge burden off my shoulders.”