Flying start for winter campaign

But the Daily Echo-backed Surviving Winter campaign has got off to a great start, after almost £2,000 was pledged to the appeal within days of its official launch.

Promises of donations have poured in from across the county, as generous Hampshire residents bid to help elderly people heat their homes this winter.

More than 40 people have also come forward to a plea for help from the donor-led initiative, which is inviting well-off pensioners to donate their Winter Fuel Allowance to those in fuel poverty.

The scheme, which is being run by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation, aims to raise £100,000 to drag as many as 1,000 people out of fuel poverty across the county.

And 45 other community foundations across the UK have joined forces in a bid to raise £1m nationally.

Hampshire’s campaign was launched by former TV sports presenter Dickie Davies in Winchester last Tuesday, while fellow legendary TV personalities Sir Terry Wogan and David Jason joined the 78-year-old in backing the scheme.

And Toni Shaw, chief executive of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation, is encouraged by the start made in Hampshire.

“It’s early days yet, but the campaign has got off to a great start,” Toni said.

“Because the winter fuel payments don’t actually come out for another week or so, we didn’t expect lots of people coming on board until they actually got their money and worked out how much they could afford to donate.

“So it’s fabulous the start we have made. I’m very positive and I think it’s captured the heart of the community,”

she added.

“It’s going well so far, but now we want to keep that momentum going.”