KIND-HEARTED Chronicle readers have helped raise £4,000 in just three weeks for our Surviving Winter Appeal.
The appeal launched by the Essex Community Foundation (ECF) provides vital aid to elderly residents in our community during the harsh winter months, from helping out with heating bills to providing hot meals.
As snow hit Essex, we're asking readers to dig deep and give whatever they can.
Caroline Taylor, from ECF, said: "We are very grateful to the generous people who have made donations to start off this year's appeal.
"Now we need more to join the campaign to help safeguard the health and welfare of the people we all want to help protect – the elderly and vulnerable – so that they can keep safe and well during the winter months.
"In Essex it is estimated that around 600 people died last year because of cold weather and poor living conditions.
"There are 250,000 people aged 65 and over in our county and they are particularly at risk during the winter, as 90 per cent of deaths at this time of year are in this age group."
There are a number of ways to support the appeal from texting COLD00£10 (or other amount) to 70070, visiting www.justgiving.com/winter-appeal-2012 or sending a cheque payable to Essex Community Foundation, at 121 New London Road, Chelmsford, CM2 0QT.