WITH cold weather fast approaching, Lions club members are again hoping to help people in and around Haslemere who will have trouble keeping warm this winter.

Farnham Lions’ 11th Project Wenceslas was officially launched by town mayor, Councillor Simon Dear at Haslemere Town Hall.

The Lions are inviting those who receive a winter fuel payment and feel they don’t need it, to donate all - or part of it - to Farnham Lions Club to help families who are seriously struggling to cook hot meals and keep warm this winter.

The Lions also welcome donations to this cause from anyone else who would like to help.

Last year, the Lions received more than £27,000 from the residents of Haslemere and Farnham, which was used by Citizens Advice, the Farnham Covid Support Fund and other assistance agencies to help clear fuel debts of their clients.

In addition, some of the fund was used to make useful grants to top up pre-pay meters to help users and their families over last winter.

The Lions estimate it helped more than 350 people - parents, children and the elderly - in Haslemere and Farnham during the winter Covid lockdown and throughout the year.

Haslemere mayor, Cllr Dear, said: "For some people the winter fuel payment makes a real difference to their ability to stay warm in winter. But because it is a universal payment, it is also made to people who perhaps need it less.

"It’s great that the Lions are yet again this year accepting donations from people who wish to give their winter fuel payment to those less fortunate than themselves."

Details of the project are in the flyer circulated with this edition of the Herald.

Donors can donate via www.lionsgiving.co.uk/Appeal/farnham wenceslas or by sending a cheque payable to Farnham Lions Club and endorsed ’WFP’ on the back to Lion Treasure, 1 Acheulian Close, Farnham, GU9 8PL.

President of the Farnham Lions, Ray Brown, said: "Donors can be assured all the funds raised are used for the purposes of relieving fuel debt and poverty by making payment direct to the utility companies.

"There are no overheads - every pound is spent on fuel."