The Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire has given her support to a fundraising campaign that helps people across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin living in fuel poverty.

The Warmer Winter Appeal was set up by Shropshire Rural Communities Charity (RCC) in 2011 to raise funds to give out as grants for emergency fuel and energy-saving improvements in people’s homes.

While anyone can support the campaign, the charity is particularly asking people who receive the Winter Fuel Payment and who feel like they don’t need it to consider donating it.

Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire Anna Turner is the Queen’s representative in the County and Patron of Shropshire RCC. She said:  “As winter starts to creep up on us in earnest and days get chilly followed by even chillier nights, I would like to ask any of you willing to support this generous scheme of sharing your Winter Fuel Allowance with someone who is in desperate need.

“If you would be prepared to donate all of your allowance or even just some, it would enable Shropshire RCC to make grants to people in hardship and help them to stay cosy.

“The kindness in the County is well known and already more than double the amount normally raised has been given this year, but more is needed as people are confined indoors using more heating.”

The 2020 campaign has raised more than £15,000 so far, and will be used to support some of the 23,000 households in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin living in fuel poverty.

Julia Baron, CEO of Shropshire RCC, said: “We have been blown away but the generosity of people this year. We know what a challenging time it is for everyone, but what we don’t know yet is how big of an impact Covid-19 is having on households that were already struggling.

“That is why we are asking for those who are in a position to help – who don’t have to worry about how they will heat their homes – to support us if they can.”

Shropshire RCC partners with referral agencies to find people most in need and provide them with insulation, draft exclusion and other energy saving measures.

It also works to raise awareness about how households can make simple changes to reduce their costs while still keeping warm.

To donate to the Warmer Winter Appeal, visit Shropshire RCC’s fundraising page here: www.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/WarmerWinterShropshireRCC