Lunn launches his Winter Fuel Trust to help older people

11.27.00am GMT Thu 11th Dec 2008

Trevor Lunn has launched the Winter Fuel Trust

Lagan Valley Alliance MLA Trevor Lunn has launched his Winter Fuel Trust, which will help older people in most need heat their homes during the winter.

Trevor Lunn is calling on any older people who do not believe that they need their Winter Fuel Payment, to donate it to his Trust, so that it can be distributed to those older people in most need. He first proposed the idea of a charitable fund of this nature back in September, and has since met with numerous organisations on the issue.

Trevor Lunn MLA stated: "I have launched this Trust to assist older people in most need through the winter.

"There are a considerable number of older people like me, who do not believe they need their Winter Fuel Payment to survive, and I would call on them to donate this money to the Winter Fuel Trust. This fund is not just about receiving donations of people's Winter Fuel Payments, we will be happy to receive money from any source, including other individuals or businesses.

"We have seen in recent weeks how harsh our winters can be and this enforces the need for a fund like this to provide further assistance for the more vulnerable older people in our society.

"The Trust will be working in conjunction with charities including St Vincent De Paul to distribute the money raised, and we are very pleased to have the support of the News Letter and the Irish News. The Trust will have no expenses so every penny will go to those in need.

"People in this region are amongst the most generous in the world in terms of giving to worthy causes. This is an opportunity for them to show their generosity in this very difficult economic climate.

"The Stormont Executive still has not introduced any measures to tackle fuel poverty. Given that this is such an important issue, I believe that any measures like this Trust that can combat the effects of the energy crisis on older people will be useful."

ENDS