AN appeal which was launched to help vulnerable people in the North-East through the winter months is being extended nationally.

Last year, the County Durham Community Foundation launched the Winter Relief Appeal, with the support of The Northern Echo, to help vulnerable people affected by fuel poverty.

Several other community foundations launched similar appeals and now the Community Foundation Network has launched a UK-wide Surviving Winter Appeal.

The campaign aims to redirect winter fuel payments to those who need it most.

The North-East is one of the worst affected areas of the country for fuel poverty with about 375,000 households finding it difficult to heat their homes throughout the winter months.

In this region, alongside the County Durham Community Foundation, the campaign is being covered by the Two Ridings Community Foundation, the Community Foundation – serving Tyne and Wear and Northumberland – and Tees Valley Community Foundation.

County Durham Community Foundation will be distributing the money raised through grants to community groups running winter programmes for the elderly and vulnerable, and also individuals in fuel poverty to help them purchase energy efficient household items and reduce their fuel bills.

They will also be working in partnership with organisations, such as National Energy Action and Age UK, to provide workshops to older and vulnerable people in order to help them get out of fuel poverty.

One group which has already received money is Blackhall Community Association, in County Durham, which runs a Snow Squad in the winter months. This involves volunteers delivering home-cooked meals to local people in need.

Lilian McGlen, 88, was one person who was helped out.

She said: “If I didn’t have these meals I would have just been eating food heated in the microwave as I can’t make meals or use the cooker any more.”

Television star Denise Robertson, has donated her winter fuel payment to the appeal in County Durham, and spoke at the UK launch of the campaign in the House of Commons.

You do not have to be in receipt of a winter fuel payment to support the appeal. All donations are welcome and will help the Community Foundation to support those who are in most need this winter.

To donate by text send WARM10 £10 to 70070 or visit localgiving.com/survivingwinter to make an online donation in your area. Or, send cheques payable to the County Durham Community Foundation to FREEPOST CDCF.

To find out more about the Surviving Winter Campaign visit cdcf.org.uk/survivingwinter- appeal or follow the campaign on Twitter @SurviveWinterNE.