Acton-based 1 Oak Home Care launches heated blanket fund-raising appeal to help people stay warm at home after Winter Fuel payment cuts

A fund-raising campaign to support vulnerable elderly people over the cold winter months has been launched, in response to impending national cuts to winter fuel allowance.

1 Oak Home Care – an Acton-based care provider supporting more than 100 clients in their homes in Suffolk and Essex – is aiming to raise at least £1,000 to pay for electric blankets to help people to stay warm.

In addition to collecting donations, the company is welcoming referrals from anyone who is concerned about a relative, friend or neighbour and believes they could benefit from a blanket.

The initiative was set up following concerns more people could struggle to afford to heat their homes during the coming months, after the Government announced reductions to winter fuel payments.

Starting this winter, the fuel allowance will only be offered to those in receipt of pension credit or certain other means-tested benefit payments.

Angel Clark, managing director of 1 Oak Home Care, said: “We have seen so many people’s responses to the winter fuel payment cut and have taken on board the concerns they have.

“Historically, what we have come across is a lot of clients sit at home without putting the heating on, because they are scared of how much the bills are going up. We would encourage them to put the heating on and tell them they have got this fuel payment – but I think it’s going to cause more problems now that it’s not there for a lot of people.”

She said they were not looking to make any political comment through the campaign, but were adapting to the changing legislation by helping as many people as possible.

The fleece blankets they are raising money for can be used in any area of the home and only cost 1p per hour to run – meaning recipients can keep warm without incurring large bills.

Donate at www.gofundme.com/f/helping-the-elderly-stay-warm-at-home-this-winter.

To contact 1 Oak Home Care with a referral for someone who could benefit from one of the blankets, go to www.1oakcare.com.

Mrs Clark added that they hope to reach their fund-raising target by November, so the blankets could be purchased and delivered in time for the seasonal drop in temperatures.