Staggering £407,000 raised for pensioners in appeal started by GB News’ Patrick Christys
GB News star Patrick Christys has thanked viewers after a staggering fundraising effort saw £407,000 racked up for pensioners.
After a drive for the charity Friends of the Elderly, Patrick announced on his GB News show on Monday the initiative saw contributions by 12,999 people.
He said: “What an unbelievable effort that is from every single person who’s donated. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who donated from a fiver to everyone who donated – I think we had one donation of £1,500.
“Thank you so so much. I mean, you will have saved lives this winter. That money is going directly – in fact, it’s already gone now, because we’ve closed the fundraiser.
“That’s already gone so friends of the eldest, they can start helping the old people pay their energy bills and pay to get to doctor’s appointments and help them out.
“So thank you. Really, really unbelievable stuff from every single one of you wonderful GB News viewers and listeners, so thank you so much for that.”
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Patrick took a plunge in the freezing cold Lake District and stayed there for 10 minutes in a mind-blowing effort as part of the cause.
He was inspired to do so after speaking to pensioners on his GB News programme and being left staggered by their struggles.
It comes after Labour announced winter fuel payments would be stripped from thousands of pensioners – leaving many in a precarious situation ahead of the cold winter months.
MPs voted to means-test the benefit, worth up to £300, in September.
The payment, which was previously given to all pensioners regardless of income, will now only be available to those on certain benefits.
Government data shows that 83 per cent of people aged over 80 will lose their Winter Fuel Allowance, with this figure rising to 90 per cent for those aged 66 to 79.
Labour has defended the cuts, saying they will save around £1.3billion and are needed to address the financial “black hole” inherited from the Conservatives.
Campaigners warn the change could force some pensioners to “choose between heating and eating” during winter months.
Local councils are stepping in to support pensioners affected by the cuts.
Tower Hamlets Council has announced it will provide £175 to elderly residents who lose the benefit, as part of a £1million support package.
“Making the Winter Fuel payment means-tested will have a detrimental effect on pensioners who are already facing the rising costs of energy bills,” said Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman.
In Norfolk, the County Council is offering one-off payments of up to £120 to affected pensioners through a £750,000 scheme.
The council will work with organisations like Age UK to identify pensioners who narrowly miss out on pension credit eligibility.