Today is the Winter Solstice. This is when the Northern Hemisphere sees its shortest day of the year with the Sun rising for just 7 hours and 50 minutes. In some cultures winter solstice (or midwinter as it is also known) is celebrated, however for some people the idea of the longest night that follows at sunset will not be a cause for celebration.
As we all know, when the Sun goes down, the temperature drops. Therefore, on the longest night we will have 16 hours and 10 minutes between sunset and sunrise during which the Sun will not be helping to warm us. That’s not an issue for people who can just switch on the central heating to warm up, but what about those who can’t afford to?
The sad fact is that during winter nearly 31,000 homes in the Leicestershire and Rutland area will struggle to heat their homes sufficiently and many suffering from fuel poverty will have to make a choice between eating and heating.
If you would like to help someone experiencing fuel poverty you can help the longest night at least seem a little warmer for them by donating to the Surviving Winter campaign, perhaps some of your fuel allowance, or enough to cover a month’s fuel bill or a basket of groceries will make a huge difference. To donate please visit www.llrcommunityfoundation.org.uk/featured-fund or our Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/llrcf/survivingwinter2016 Remember, if you are eligible to give Gift Aid please do so as it means that for every £1 donated we get an extra 25p and it doesn’t cost you any extra. All funds raised will be shared between Age UK Leicester Shire and Rutland and Leicester Charity Link who will both be supporting older people living in fuel poverty.
Thank you.
