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The Foundation’s ‘Give the Gift of Warmth’ fuel poverty campaign has become an annual commitment that has provided thousands of hardship grants to individuals and families across Wakefield and the Five Towns.

Since the campaign’s incarnation, the Foundation has raised more than £70,000, and it hopes to top £100,000 this year as energy bills and the cost of living rockets into 2023.

Fundraisers have been busy writing jingles for businesses and walking 25 miles across Wakefield in one day.

The Community Foundation Wakefield District is on course to meet its fundraising target for 2022/23 to help families facing fuel poverty ads the cost of living and energy bills soar.

Murray Edwards, executive director of The Community Foundation Wakefield District, said: ‘We recognise that this an extremely difficult time for everyone, but some people are taking extreme measures simply to stay alive. If you’re able to donate anything, it will make a difference.

"Thank you to those who have already supported our campaign – to our Challenge 25 fundraisers; to customers of The Give Box in Trinity Walk, to our corporate supporters and campaign partners, Wakefield District Housing and Wakefield Council and to members of the public who have given generously, we’re incredibly grateful.”

The Foundation has also received generous donations from parish councils in the district and individuals who have been able to give their winter fuel discounts to local people in greater need.

Last year, the Foundation presented the Council’s Welfare Fund with £24,000 as a result of its fundraising efforts.

The last few months have seen escalating energy costs, rising inflation and higher food prices.

This year, the issue of fuel poverty has become much more of a problem, and it’s affecting even more households in the district.

Between April 1 and November 30, the average emergency fuel grant rose by 60%, which reflects just how much the price of energy has risen during this time.

The Foundation will continue to appeal to the general public to ‘Give the Gift of Warmth’ throughout December and January.

The charity is also urging businesses across the Wakefield district to give back to their communities if they saw a record turnover during the festive period.

You can support the Foundation’s campaign with one text. To donate £5, £10 or £20 text the word FUEL followed by your donation amount (in numbers only) to 70470. Alternatively, to donate an amount of your choice, please visit https://wakefieldcf.org.uk/donate/.

Wakefield charity on track to raise £100,000 in aid of residents in fuel poverty