COMFORTABLY off pensioners in Oxfordshire are being urged to hand over their winter fuel payments to help vulnerable elderly people survive the winter.

Winter Fuel Payments (WFP) are now a universal annual tax-free state benefit paid each year to elderly people.

With hundreds living in fuel poverty in Oxfordshire as temperatures remain below freezing, the former Oxford Lord Mayor Jim Campbell is launching a Surviving Winter Campaign, to ensure that winter fuel money goes to those who really need it.

It is hoped the campaign will see those who can afford to forego their winter fuel payment 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 (OCF), which is in touch with many small local charities.

Mr Campbell is also in talks with Age UK, with the campaign 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 OCF to help those who will face hardship this winter.

“This is a campaign for the whole of Oxfordshire but the present support team are all based in, or near to, the city. We would be very glad to hear from anyone in other parts of the county who could help to get the scheme publicised in their area.”

Mr Campbell, along with his friends Janet and Margaret Godden, say that a similar campaign in Wiltshire is seeking to raise £100,000.

WFP is a universal payment of between £125 and £400, depending on age and domestic circumstances. it is made to everybody aged over 60 on the electoral roll.

The Bishop of Oxford said: “This is an excellent initiative. We can divert our payment to people in real need in this cold season when there is more danger of people being short of the basics.

“I hope many others will feel the same and join in.”

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  • For more information and donation forms, go to oxfordshire.org, calls 01865 556404 or email ocf@oxfordshire.org.