Do you actually need your Winter Fuel Allowance?

That's what the local Lions Club is asking pensioners in towns and villages from Swanley to Wrotham. If you can cope without it, they'd like it (or part of it) to give to people who can't.

The 'Wenceslas' scheme was trialled very successfully in a Surrey town last Christmas. The local Lions Club appealed to pensioners who can afford it, to give all or part of their winter fuel allowance to a fund to help people who are in fuel poverty. Over £14,000 was raised and redistributed via local agencies to people in need.

Swanley and North Downs Lions are trying it out this year to see how Kent pensioners respond.

Welfare Committee Chairman Lion Shirley Watts said “Rising fuel prices mean that many people, especially the elderly, will be faced with the choice between heating and eating this winter. We'd like to help and for that we need your help.

“If you send your winter fuel allowance, or even part of it, to us, then working with local voluntary and statutory agencies we will make sure it goes (in full) to those who need help most.”

“If it works here we hope it will spread throughout Kent – who knows it may take off everywhere in the country and show that we really are a nation that cares for our neighbour in need.!

Anyone who feels able to help can donate by sending a cheque payable to 'Swanley & North Downs Lions' and endorsed on the back 'WFP' to Lion John Flatman, 2 The Pippins, Meopham, DA13 0HB – or by bank credit transfer to NatWest sort code 60-21-10, account number 96853867, reference WFP.

ENDS For further information contact Lion Bryan Harris: Tel: 01474 854503 M: 07733 228408 E: swanleylions@btinternet.com www.swanleyandnorthdownslions.org.uk Based on information supplied by Bryan Harris.