Surviving Winter

The £30,000 in Match Funding we have won from the Department of Health's Warm Homes, Healthy People initiative now means that every £1 Donation is worth £2 for this appeal.  Please give whatever you can afford TODAY your gift will directly support our older and vulnerable communities through winter.

To date, we have been able to award grants to Age UK Milton Keynes, The Foodbank, SSAFA Forces Help and YMCA Milton Keynes.  With these funds they can buy emergency food and clothing, duvets blankets, hot water bottles and any relief means that will help those most in need to stay warm, have food and stay mobile this winter.

Our Surviving Winter grant made to the MK YMCA before Christmas funded additional workers for their Emergency Night Shelter Project which is running until February. Due to the lack of emergency accommodation for homeless people in Milton Keynes last winter, and serious concerns that this year someone would die on the streets from exposure to severe cold weather, MK YMCA set up the Winter Night Shelter Project. 

Safe and warm overnight accommodation and food is now being provided until the end of February in church buildings across the city,  this timely help has given hope and vital support for many people in crisis this winter...

"I would have spent a long cold winter on the streets, making my depression even worse"

" I had nowhere else to go on release from prison, the staff were very helpful supplying food and clothing when needed. Thanks to the staff at the night shelter I'm alcohol free and on the road to recovery."

"I recently & suddenly became homeless, I thought this could never happen to me, but it did! These people have provided not only shelter but excellent support. kindness and guidance, I honestly do not know what I would have done without them and I'm now starting to get back on track."

"We had donations from other sources, but if it wasn't for the Surviving Winter Campaign, we wouldn't still be running."  Simon Greene, Housing Manager at MK YMCA.

"Thanks to the generosity of the local people who have given to Appeal we have been able to directly benefit so many homeless people this winter, not only providing warmth and shelter but hope and help for their future.  The support and commitment of the YMCA staff behind this project is truly admirable."  Sarah Sweet-Rowley, MK Community Foundation

The Surviving Winter Appeal will also directly support older local people.  Increased fuel bills and the winter weather leave our older people very much at risk.  Age UK are warning that cold homes will kill up to 200 older people a day, this year.  Last winter there were an estimated 25,400 excess winter deaths amongst those aged 65 or older.  For every winter-related death there will be dozens of other people suffering with illness and hardship, many facing a difficult choice between eating and heating. 

We must do more. So we continue our plea to local over 60’s who DON'T NEED their Winter Fuel Payment to DONATE IT.  But  we are urging everyone to give to this URGENT Appeal, and every £1 donated will be matched.

If you are able to support us and you want to find out more about this campaign, please get in touch today.  You can make a direct online payment by returning to our Home page  or call us on 01908 690276 if you would prefer to send a cheque.  Thank you! your support will make a massive difference to vulnerable local people this Winter.

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The Surviving Winter Appeal is a national campaign.  It was inspired when it launched last year by people who wanted to donate their Winter Fuel Payment** from the government to support elderly and vulnerable who are less fortunate than themselves.  The campaign has attracted many high profile supporters including, Sir Terry Wogan, Bruce Forsyth, Sir David Jason, Rosemary Conley, and locally, we are delighted Dame Cleo Laine has donated her Winter Fuel Payment to support people here in Milton Keynes.

** The Winter Fuel Payment is a universal benefit of between £100 and £300, made to everyone aged over 60 on the electoral roll during November and December.