Lions Aiming To Raise £10k To Help People Struggling With Fuel Bills

Published on: 24 Nov, 2022
Updated on: 24 Nov, 2022

Members of the Guildford Lions Club have joined forces with the North Guildford Food Bank to raise £10,000 for it – by inviting local businesses, families, and individuals to come together and help those in our community who are struggling with fuel bills this winter.

You can donate to the campaign at the Guildford Lions Club’s Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/weatheringwintertogether

The Lions say: “Did you know that Guildford has the highest proportion of households in fuel poverty in Surrey? As Guildfordians we can’t take any pride in holding this top spot. Although this data was collected in 2020 before the current fuel crisis, it is due to be reassessed next year. But we know the current picture can only be worse, much worse.”

The Lions add that requests for help being received by the North Guildford Food Bank are unprecedented and currently beyond its means to fully support.

Gas and electricity grants made by the food bank almost trebled in the last six months to £32,500 (compared to £45,000 in grants over the previous two years).

The Lions’ aim is to raise £10,000 by Christmas to help meet these critical needs.

They add: “As we all know, the Government has drawn up an Energy Bill Support Scheme and every household is receiving an automatic £400 discount off their utility bills. In addition, those born before September 1956 qualify for Winter Fuel Payments, which this year include extra money from the government to help with the cost of living.

“If you can afford to donate any of this to our Weathering Winter Together campaign that would be greatly appreciated. Weathering Winter Together is a chance for all of us Guildfordians to pull together and make a difference in these difficult times. Please help!”

All donations will go directly to the North Guildford Food Bank to be converted into food and fuel cards and will be used to support those who are struggling the most this winter.

Fireworks Fiesta raises just over £50,000

The Guildford Lions Club has also announced profits made from this year’s Firework Fiesta is just over £50,000.

Lions member Eric James said: “The evening was a great success and the support we had certainly made a big difference to our result.

“Whilst there are a couple of bills outstanding I am delighted to confirm the club has made a profit of just over £50,000 from the evening – a fantastic result in all the circumstances and will allow us to continue our work in the community which will be even more necessary than ever before

“This year our nominated charity was the Prostate Project, supporting its mobile screening unit campaign, and I am happy to confirm the club has agreed an immediate donation of £15,000 to this appeal.”