Better-off urged to donate fuel payment

HENLEY Lions Club has launched its seventh annual fundraising campaign to help people who are struggling to pay their energy bills.

Its Winter Fuel Project asks people who receive the Government’s winter fuel payment but are financially secure to donate all or part of it to families or individuals in fuel poverty.

All the money raised will be deposited in the Lions’ charity trust account and will be ring-fenced for the project.

The Lions work closely with Henley Citizens Advice, which puts forward people who are eligible to receive help with their fuel bills. 

Club secretary Dave Murray said: “If there are people who are retired who are able to part with all or some of their allowance, it’s a really good way to help people in need.

“We had initially thought it would be mostly for people in arrears but there are more people with prepayment meters. There’s a lot of people struggling.”

“If someone is recommended by Citizens Advice then our treasurer will go with them to their prepayment meter. We don’t give anyone cash. We deal with the utility company or put money on a meter.”

Pam Phillips, who is also a member of the club, said: “It’s certainly possible that there will be many more people struggling to pay their bills this year.

“Every time you turn on the TV or radio, the news is not good in terms of fuel bills. A lot of people don’t know how much their bills are going to be.”

The winter fuel initiative was started by the Lions Club in Knutsford, Cheshire, and was brought to Henley by a member with a friend in the group. It has since spread to other clubs.

Between October 2021 and May 2022, Henley Lions received donations of £7,268 and paid out £7,200 to help families in fuel poverty.

The Winter Fuel Payment is given to those born on or before September 25, 1956. It is tax-free and ranges from £250 to £600, depending on personal circumstances.

To donate all or part of your fuel allowance, visit https://henleylions.org.
uk/winter-fuel