Since the turn of the millennium more than 121,000 older people have died from cold related illnesses in the UK. In the winter of 2004/05 alone more than 30,000 people over the age of 65 died as a result of cold related illnesses, with many more suffering from the cold behind closed doors. 

In advance of the issue of the 2005/06 figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in late October, the British Gas Help the Aged Partnership today launches the first phase of a hard-hitting campaign aimed at raising awareness of the issue and calling for urgent action to tackle the problem.

Steve Jones, Director of Communications and Marketing for Help the Aged, said: 'Over just five winters the number of older people who have died needlessly from the cold is equivalent to the population of Cheltenham. This is unacceptable in a country as developed as the UK. The message is still not getting through about the magnitude of the problem, neither is it receiving the attention it deserves. Action needs to be taken now and continually throughout the year if this terrible toll is to be reduced'.

Over the coming months, the British Gas Help the Aged Partnership Winter Death Campaign will: 
-raise awareness about avoidable winter deaths 
-ensure that older people have information about how to prepare for the winter and beat the cold 
-challenge behaviour and attitudes about winter in the UK 
-challenge the Government and energy providers to ensure existing help is better targeted and to co-ordinate their approach more effectively. 

'Over just five winters the number of older people who have died needlessly from the cold is equivalent to the population of Cheltenham.'
Preparing the home is vital while the weather is milder and there is a lot people can do now to protect themselves. To ensure that older people have the information they need to prepare for the winter, the Partnership has posted a top ten tips guide on how to beat the cold on the Help the Aged website, plus an downloadable version of the popular ‘The Cold Can Kill’ pack.

Two of the things the Partnership is encouraging older people to do now are: 

-To check that heating systems and boilers are working correctly. If they are not, then advice should be sought from the Energy Retail Association’s Home Heat Helpline* or help-lines such as the free Help the Aged telephone advice service, SeniorLine**, who will be able to advise on entitlements to grants or free central heating under the Government’s ‘Warm Front’ scheme, which provides one off payments to help with energy efficiency and insulation in the home. 

-To claim their full benefit entitlement Pensioner households are entitled to one-off benefits such as the Winter Fuel Payment, as well as a range of other benefits to help with household costs. Currently, £4 billion each year is left unclaimed by older people. Again, advice on claiming benefits can be sought from SeniorLine. 

Kevin Pringle, British Gas Help the Aged Partnership Spokesperson said, 'It may not be cold now but winter is fast approaching and this campaign is aimed at making sure we all prepare early enough. Everyone has a role to play - Government, energy providers, the public and older people themselves – to rid this country of avoidable winter deaths.'

To find out more about the Help the Aged campaign to end avoidable winter deaths, visit Winter Deaths.
Older people can find useful tips for preparing for the winter at Stay warm in winter .

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