Winter has long been a challenging season for pensioners, particularly those in the East End. Rising heating costs, food insecurity, and social isolation make this time of year especially difficult for older people in the community. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported our Life Chances Winter Appeal, helping us exceed our original target and provide vital assistance to vulnerable older people in East London.
Thanks to their generosity, we surpassed our initial goal of distributing 1,000 winter care packages, ultimately delivering an additional 500 packages to reach a total of 1,500 older people in need.
Our Supporters
A heartfelt thank you to AFME, Barings, BPL, Clearstream, FEC, Linklaters, Maples Teesdale, Pool Re, Rothesay, Societe Generale Foundation, and Sucden Financial for their generous support and commitment to making a difference. Their support ensured that those facing isolation and hardship during the cold winter months received essential care packages. These included hot drinks, food, warm clothing, blankets (including electric blankets), word search books, a treat, and important information on Pension Credits and local services.
Volunteer Contributions
11 City and Canary Wharf based businesses contributed 120 volunteers who in total dedicated 270 hours of their time to making this initiative a success. Their dedication and hands-on involvement played a vital role in the impact of this year’s Winter Appeal.
Volunteer Experiences
Volunteers from across our corporate partners shared their experiences, reflecting on the meaningful impact of their efforts:
“Thanks for organising the day for us. I think I can speak for everyone when I say we all had a great time doing it, and it was a fantastic way to get to know each other. The day was really well organised by EECF, and all the right elements were in place to make it a memorable experience. Delivering the packs was truly grounding, and if we do more of it in the future, I’d love to take part again.” – Rothesay
“We had an incredible time volunteering for your Winter Appeal. It was a truly rewarding experience, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support such a meaningful cause. Thank you for having us—we look forward to continuing our partnership in the future.” – Pool Re
A Message of Gratitude
Sally Bateson, Life Chances Campaign Director, expressed her appreciation:
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity and commitment of our donors and volunteers. Their support has not only allowed us to expand our reach but has also made a significant difference in the lives of those facing hardship this winter. The kindness and dedication shown by our partners demonstrate the power of collective action, and we are deeply thankful to everyone who played a part in this year’s Winter Appeal.”
The Impact of the Winter Appeal
The East End Community Foundation (EECF) has been running its Winter Appeal for more than a decade, providing relief and support throughout the winter months to elderly residents in the East End boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, and the City of London. These boroughs have some of the highest levels of older people living in poverty, with figures standing at 44% in Tower Hamlets, 41% in Hackney, and 37% in Newham. By mobilising support from community organisations, corporate partners and volunteers, we have been able to make a real difference.
Beneficiary Feedback
Below, we share some messages of appreciation from those who received winter care packages:
“These packages not only bring warmth but also show we are not forgotten during these harsh winter months. Thank you for your care and thoughtfulness.”– Beneficiary from the Sundial Day Centre
“Thank you for making this winter so warm for us. The Winter Care Package makes us feel cared for!”– Lai Fong, Beneficiary from the Chinese Association of Tower Hamlets
“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for the generous Winter Appeal donations. This has made a tremendous difference, allowing us to support members in the community in need this Christmas. It’s truly uplifting to see people reach out and know that we can provide assistance during these challenging times, especially with the rising cost of living. We are incredibly grateful to all the organisations involved in making this initiative possible.”– Tropical Isles (Community Group)
“Thank you so very much for the parcels. They went down like hot potatoes! The elderly were very happy and appreciative.. God bless them, and you and your team for the hard work.”– Ascension Trust
Once again, thank you to everyone who made the 2024 Winter Appeal such a success. Your kindness and generosity have made a lasting impact on the lives of many, proving that together, we can bring warmth, comfort, and hope to those who need it most.
Ongoing Support
We continue to support older people throughout the year through our Tackling Pensioner Poverty Programme. Find out more about how we are addressing pensioner poverty and isolation by clicking here.
Find out more about our Winter Appeal click here.
Support our Life Chances campaign today click here.
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