A MALVERN man is encouraging pensioners to use their £200 winter fuel bonus to help others.

The idea has been put forward by David Annett, aged 83, a resident of the Beauchamp Community in Malvern Link.

Every pensioner household gets the Winter Fuel Payment to help with heating bills during the cold weather. This replaces the severe weather payments, which were activated when temperatures fell below a certain limit.

Mr Annett said: "There are some pensioners who feel that they are adequately provided for and they might feel they do not need the payment.

"If that is so, I would like to encourage them to think about donating the payment to help the many pensioners who are undeniably not provided for well enough."

Malvern Age Concern has agreed to accept any donations, which will go towards its work of helping the elderly.

George Waugh, of Age Concern, said: "Mr Annett's idea is brilliant and I really hope it takes off. Last year, a number of individuals donated their winter bonus to us and we are happy to accept.

"The thing to remember is that every Age Concern branch is autonomous and raises its own funds, so all money which is donated to the Malvern and district branch will be spent on pensioners in our area."

Mr Waugh said Age Concern helps pensioners in all sorts of ways, including loaning gas and electric heaters and giving advice on how to heat your home effectively. See Page 19.