At this time of year many people are beginning to receive cheques for their Winter Fuel Allowance.
The government website lists those who qualify and includes people born on or before 5th April 1954, those aged over 80 and/or those on specified benefits. The payments may be received by one or both partners in a household and range from £100 to £300. The website provides all the relevant information and specifies whether you need to apply or if you will receive it automatically. For more details go to:www.nidirect.gov.uk articles/winter-fuel-payment-payments-and-rates
For many local people this allowance will be a vital addition to their income, helping them to keep warm through the winter months.
However, every year other people prefer to donate it to charity. Fair Frome, the local charity, which delivers projects to improve the lives of local residents such as the Food Bank and Furniture Bank, are asking people, if they can afford it, to consider donating to them. Fair Frome say, “Every penny raised will help a local person through a period of financial hardship or isolation. This year has been particularly hard for many residents. Many people struggle to feed their families with a healthy meal and this year Fair Frome started Food at Five, a project, which runs throughout the year during term time, and aims to provide practical support for those members of the community. By inviting all members of the local community to share a weekly meal together, the charity provides a place where residents can make friends, enjoy a healthy meal and find advice and support at the most challenging time of year.
“The proverb ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ still has validity in the modern world.’ Fair Frome is asking people who receive the Winter Fuel Payment and are considering donating some of the money to a charity to consider donating to Fair Frome. The money will make a real difference and help to alleviate the effects of social deprivation and isolation in the local community.
“To make a donation please go to: https://localgiving.org/donation/fairfrome or deliver to Fair Frome Centre, Park Road, Frome. For more information please call Wendy Miller Williams or Lenka Grimes on 01373 488578.
