Elderly and vulnerable people across Lancashire are being given extra support to stay warm this winter thanks to a generous donation of £40,000.

The charitable arm of gas company, Cadent, the Cadent Foundation, has granted £40,000 to Groundwork, to create 2,700 winter warmer packs for those most in need.

The packs will be distributed via local food banks and community hubs in Burnley, Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Rossendale, Pendle and the Ribble Valley and will contain items such as socks, gloves, hats, scarves, hot water bottles, blankets, thermal flask mugs and energy saving lightbulbs.

Director of the Cadent Foundation, Julia Dwyer, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer this grant to Groundwork to provide practical support to those who need it most.

"Many vulnerable households are facing even bleaker challenges as we head into winter and it’s reassuring to know these packs will help make a real difference at such a difficult time of year.

“This grant is just the first stage in a wider partnership between the Cadent Foundation and Groundwork, which will see the charity’s Green Doctor programme rolled out in numerous locations across the UK in 2021.”

Latest figures from the ONS revealed there were an estimated 28,300 excess winter deaths in England and Wales in 2019/20, 19.6 percent higher than the previous year.

Respiratory diseases accounted for almost 40 percent of all excess winter deaths and according to fuel poverty charity National Energy Action, 8,500 were due to cold homes.

Community action charity, Groundwork, developed a programme called Green Doctors, which provides energy saving advice that helps people to keep warm, well, and save money by reducing energy bills.

National Chief Executive of Groundwork, Graham Duxbury, said: “Around 4 million people in the UK are in fuel poverty and during the winter months, are expected to use 30 percent more energy than they normally would.

"Small changes can have a big impact and these winter warmer packs will help some of the most vulnerable in our society keep warm and well during the cold weather.”

The Cadent Foundation is funded by local gas network Cadent, and has been established to support projects large and small that help people living in vulnerable situations and energy poor communities; protect and preserve the natural environment and support in creating a sustainable energy future for all.

More information can be found at cadentfoundation.com or groundwork.org.uk.