Bid to stop Dearne elderly from dying of cold

During the winter, 27 people die on average every day in Yorkshire and Humber  as a result of being too cold in their own home.

Now, Doncaster Council, NHS Doncaster and Age UK Doncaster have teamed up to host the Warm Homes Health People scheme which includes free help with boilers and draughts.

Information events aimed at people over the age of 70 will give advice about keeping warm in a bid to fend off colds, flu or more serious health problems like pneumonia.

Cllr Patricia Schofield, Cabinet member for adult services, said: “It is important that we all take a little bit of extra care of ourselves as winter sets in to ensure we stay healthy. “Being too cold in the home is not just uncomfortable; underlying health problems can be made much worse or even fatal by being cold.

“Deaths are preventable and in partnership with Age UK Doncaster and NHS Doncaster the council has secured funding to help our most vulnerable residents who may be at increased risk of health complications from living in cold homes.”

She added: “Whether people are living in a cold house because they can’t afford to pay the bills, because of broken or hard to work controls or poor insulation, our project offers a range of free services which could make all the difference including free boiler services and free draught proofing.”

The team will be at Baptist Church, Hollingworth Close, Mexborough, from 11.45am to 2pm next Wednesday (30) or The Place Community Enterprise Centre, Castle Street, Conisbrough, from 10am to 2pm on February 1.

For more information contact Pete Kennedy, the council’s warm homes officer, on 01302 735006.

Doncaster Council also offers advice on energy saving, keeping warm, and insulation grants to all residents and can be contacted on 01302 737053.