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Newspaper-backed fuel poverty scheme raises £50k

A regional daily-backed campaign to help those suffering in winter weather has raised £50,000 in its first month.

The East Anglian Daily Times has teamed up with Age UK Suffolk and the Suffolk Community Foundation to raise funds used to keep older and vulnerable people safe and warm during the coldest months.

The EADT’s Surviving Winter campaign is now in its fourth year and in that time it has raised more than £200,000 and helped 850 people in need.

The Ipswich-based title hopes to raise £100,000 in this year’s push.

EADTSurvivingWinterLaunch

Encouraging further donations, editor Terry Hunt said: “To have raised £50,000 in the first month of the appeal is a brilliant start.

“As we knew they would, the people of Suffolk are giving very generously for this tremendous cause.

“But there is still a long way to go before we reach our target of £100,000, so, if you are able to help, please do so.

“It is a shocking fact that, each winter in Suffolk, 350 people die from the cold.

“These are vulnerable people who face the stark choice of either eating or heating.”

Mandy Abdel-Aziz, operations director at Suffolk Community Foundation, added: “It’s fantastic to see donations coming in day by day from the generous readers of the EADT and supporters of the appeal.

“We have seen the start of the cold weather and an increase in demand for those who desperately need our support this winter.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the appeal can do so here.