WEATHER: Help old folk beat the chill, say charities

Age Concern Rotherham is asking people to keep an eye on older family, friends and neighbours during the prolonged cold weather.

The charity is concerned that the continued extreme temperatures will leave older people facing difficulties getting out to buy food and other essentials, while others will struggle to stay warm.

Lesley Dabell, chief executive of Age Concern Rotherham, said: "Vulnerable older people are more susceptible to the cold than young people and many of the services and family they rely on may not be able to reach them so easily due to the weather conditions.  

"Please look out for older neighbours, friends and family and make the effort to check on them while the weather is so cold. 

"Because the wintry weather is lasting so long older people may be running out of food and feeling isolated and worried.

“If you are going to the shops for your own supplies, please check whether you can get anything for them and also check that they are keeping warm.”

Meanwhile, charities have seen their cashflow put under pressure by the effects of the cold weather.

Help the Aged estimates that over the last two weeks it has lost around £500,000 nationally compared with its usual income, with fears that the total could go far higher.

The charity relies on donations from the public to stock their shops and fund their work but the bad weather means that its vans have been unable to pick up donations.

Some shops have also had to shut and the ones that can open have seen reduced business and a fall in the number of people bringing in goods.

A spokesman said: "We are asking people urgently to visit their local charity shops and give generously to stop them losing crucial funds."

If people need advice about their entitlements and keeping warm they can contact Age Concern Rotherham's Advice and Information Service on 01709 835214 or Help the Aged's national help line on 0800 009966.