Dorset Community Foundation is hoping more people will donate funds to its Surviving Winter appeal as the cold weather forces more people into fuel poverty.

The annual appeal raises money to fund £200 energy grants to older and vulnerable people in the county, and its appeal partners at Citizens Advice say demand for the grants is on the rise.

Katrina Ford, business development manager at Citizens Advice East Dorset & Purbeck, which works with the foundation on behalf of all of the county’s branches, says the costs of living crisis is driving even more people into fuel poverty and the recent cold weather could have a devastating effect on their health.

“We launch the appeal every October and by January 2021 we had made 135 grants, so far this year we have made 242,” she said. “We’ve had 15 grant applications in the last two days, so you can see how quickly we’ll get through them in a week.

“I think people were already in a state of desperation because everything just costs so much more and I think this cold weather’s going to compound that a little bit.”

She said her team’s energy advisors are constantly busy and have heard from older people who are skipping meals or having their heating on for just a few hours a day. “If people with health conditions aren’t going to be turning their heating on that is a real worry,” she said.

“If they are choosing between putting their heating on and having something to eat that is dangerous. That or skipping a meal, might seem the only option but that isn’t really managing is it?”

Dorset Community Foundation chief executive Grant Robson said although the response to this year’s appeal has been good, there is still a need for more funds to keep up with the growing demand for grants.

“We are hugely thankful to everyone who has donated so far but if people can spare some money in these tough times to help older and vulnerable people stay warm and safe that would be wonderful.

“If any companies or clubs felt they could so some fundraising in the office or at get-togethers I can assure them that every penny will make a massive difference to someone who really needs it.

“We all have older relatives and neighbours and it’s not hard to imagine what life would be like for them having to struggle by day after day in a freezing cold home.”

Find out more about the appeal and donate at dorsetcommunityfoundation.org.