Shocking Stats Reveal there were 2,700 Excess Winter Deaths Across the South West Last Year

Worrying stats just released by the Office of National Statistics reveal that last winter 2,700 vulnerable people died during the winter months in our region because of effects relating to the cold.

Shocking Stats Reveal there were 2,700 Excess Winter Deaths Across the South West Last Year

Posted on 7th December 20167th December 2016 by Grant Robson

DCF is calling on more donations to our Surviving Winter Appeal to help save lives this winter. Jon Yates, Chief Executive at the Foundation explained: ‘The regional stats are very shocking. Older people in Dorset are particularly vulnerable – we have the largest older people population in the UK and our county is also very rural – those who live in shire Dorset struggle to get to support services and extra help.’

Every year donations raised for Surviving Winter, mostly by people donating their unwanted winter fuel allowances, are being dispersed in the form of grants through the local Citizens Advice Bureaus. Last year the charity raised nearly £20,000 people helping around 200 local households.

Mrs S.H. 73 who lives on Portland was one of people who was supported. She has been worried about paying the bills ever since her husband passed away a couple of years ago, so she has to rely on one pension. At the time Mrs S.H. had an undiagnosed health condition that affected her ability to walk and it was essential for her to keep warm. A grant from the Appeal helped her stop worrying about paying the bill.

For ways to donate please click here.