Better off over 60’s donate Winter Fuel Payments

The Community Foundation’s Forever Manchester campaign logo

A new campaign to help older people in Rochdale and across Greater Manchester keep warm in the winter has been launched by The Community Foundation for Greater Manchester.

The campaign, Forever Warm, asks over 60’s in the region that can afford to, to donate their Winter Fuel Payment to the new fund which will be used to help those whose need is greater.

Current policy is that all UK residents over the age of 60 receive a Winter Fuel Payment regardless of means. Community Foundations across the UK are working with local residents asking those that automatically receive the payment, but don’t necessarily need it, to donate it to support community groups and vulnerable people to whom the Winter Fuel Payment is not nearly enough.

Greater Manchester Community Foundation chief executive Nick Massey comments: “The weather we have experienced in recent weeks brings this matter even higher on the agenda. This campaign is essential to supporting older people in Rochdale and across Greater Manchester, and is easy for people to support. If just 1% of people over 60 in Greater Manchester donated their Winter Fuel Payment this Fund would have over £500,000 available to help keep our older people warm and safe this winter.”

For more information contact the Community Foundation on 0161 214 0940