Comfortably-off pensioners in Oxfordshire are being urged to hand over their winter fuel payments to help vulnerable elderly people this winter.

Winter fuel payments are now a universal annual tax-free state benefit that is paid each winter to elderly people.

With hundreds living in ‘fuel poverty’ in Oxfordshire as temperatures remain below freezing, the former Oxford Lord Mayor, Jim Campbell, pictured, is to launch a campaign to ensure that winter fuel money goes to those who really need it.

It is hoped the campaign will see people donating all or some of the money they receive to pensioners in the county who are struggling to stay warm.

The idea is that the money would be distributed through the Oxfordshire Community Foundation.

The campaign is being backed by the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Tim Stevenson, and the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John Pritchard.

Mr Campbell said: “Life can be very hard for the elderly in winter, especially in weather like we have had in the last two weeks. Many people have to choose between staying warm and having enough to eat. It can be a time of increasing isolation.

“Four of us have set up an Oxfordshire campaign, similar to that in operation in some other parts of the country. We want to encourage those of you who can comfortably do so, to donate all or part of your winter fuel allowance to Oxfordshire Community Foundation. OCF will distribute your money to voluntary organisations and community groups across the county, to help those who will face hardship this winter.”

The winter fuel allowance is a payment of between £125 and £400, depending on age and domestic circumstances. It is made to everybody aged over the age of 60.

The Bishop of Oxford said: “This is an excellent initiative and gives those of us who feel able, the opportunity to put the winter fuel payment to more appropriate use.”

Mr Stevenson said: “This is an imaginative idea that will enable those of us fortunate enough not to need our winter fuel allowance to help those who plainly do.”

Further information, and donation forms, can be obtained from oxfordshire.org, by phoning 01865 556404, or by emailing ocf@oxfordshire.org