As the cold weather starts to bite, and the cost of living worsens, many older people in our community will really struggle to stay warm. That’s why, for the second part of my Christmas fundraiser, I’m hoping to raise at least £10,000 for Small Acts of Kindness.  

This Hertfordshire based charity needs to urgently raise funds to distribute extra Warm in Winter gift bags, containing a fleece blanket, thermal hat, a pair of grippy gloves, and sachets of instant soup, porridge, hot drinks, a mug, activity books, hand sanitiser and face masks.  

The bags are free to those in need but cost £25 each to put together.  

The demand in Herts has increased – and is still rising every day.  

This is where I’m asking for your help. These extra 2,000 bags will cost approximately £50,000, and it would be so great if, here in St Albans, we could raise at least £10,000 of that target.  

 Vitally, these bags also contain a ‘Purple Pages’ information pack, which contains details of help and resources in the local community, and social groups that meet locally. Many older people – though not all – aren’t digitally literate, so these resources are vital for helping them to combat isolation.  

The team at Small Acts of Kindness tell me that for many recipients of the bags, it’s not just the contents that help – it’s the actual act of having someone come round and deliver the bag and have a little chat with them when they do.   

None of us would like to think of our grandparents or parents sitting alone and isolated in a cold house for weeks or months on end. So please – if you can, please help me to raise money so older vulnerable people in Herts can stay warm this winter.