THE Bournemouth Echo is helping Dorset Community Foundation keep elderly and vulnerable people warm in the cost of living crisis with its Put In A Pound appeal.

Readers are already supporting the appeal by donating £1, which will go towards the foundation’s Surviving Winter Fund, which is now in its 13th year.

The campaign works with Citizens Advice to fund £200 fuel grants for pensioners and vulnerable people aged 50 and over living in fuel poverty, as well as providing help with benefits and energy saving advice from the charity’s advisors.

The community foundation, which was founded 22 years ago and supports hundreds of grass roots charities and voluntary groups across the county with grants every year, matches donors with causes they care about and is Dorset’s largest county-based funder.

Older people or those with health conditions fare badly in the cold, said James Richards, a consultant physician and geriatrician at Dorset County Hospital. He said living in a constantly cold and damp home can exacerbate respiratory and circulatory conditions.

Almost 600 people died in Dorset of cold-related illness in 2020/21, the most recent figures available.

Many older people who are fearful of receiving large bills skip meals or eat less, which adds to the effect of cold weather.

“When you are cold your body’s response is shivering which uses up energy,” Mr Richards said.

“But when you are in the cold you use up more energy.

It’s a bit of a double whammy because if your house is very cold you need more energy going in to keep your body temperature normal but older people are the ones who are not eating so much.”

Tom Flood CBE, the community foundation’s chair of trustees, said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Echo has come forward with this appeal and we can assure readers their donation, no matter how small, will make a huge difference to people who are really struggling.”

How to donate

Find out more about the work of Dorset Community Foundation at dorsetcommunityfoundation.org