THE M.E.N. has launched a Christmas appeal - to help elderly people keep warm this winter.

We are asking our readers this question: Have you received the government's £200 fuel allowance payment this month - and if so, do you really need it to heat YOUR home?

If the answer is no - then we, together with Cheshire Building Society, are inviting you to donate that money to our appeal to help elderly people in Greater Manchester who are less fortunate.

Many people - men and women - may have turned 60 this year and finished work with a good retirement package or a healthy company pension. They will have received the government's fuel payment, but for them it's just extra cash which they don't need to use for the purpose it was intended.

If you are one of those people who may feel almost embarrassed about receiving the cash, we are asking you to send it to our Winter Warmer Appeal Account at Cheshire Building Society.

Money raised will go to Age Concern who will use it to help those people who really are struggling to heat their homes, and to provide such things as emergency heaters and warm clothing where needed through their centres across Greater Manchester.

Needless winter deaths

There were 3,300 needless winter deaths among elderly people in the north west last year - the highest level in the country - according to new figures from the Office of National Statistics. Some of those deaths could have been prevented if only they had been able to heat their homes.

Figures show that this year thousands more people than last year will receive the fuel allowance, but not all will really need it for heating bills.

In a way, donating the money isn't actually costing you anything - you are just forwarding us the cash you have received from the government so we, with the help of the Cheshire, can redirect it to those who really are in need during the cold winter months.

If you don't want to donate the whole £200, maybe you could send half of it - and, of course, the appeal is also open to those who don't receive the fuel allowance but who want to help the elderly anyway this Christmas.

The Cheshire Building Society has already started the appeal rolling by kindly donating £3,000 into the account.

Anyone can make a donation to the Winter Warmer Appeal by sending a cheque along with a coupon from the Manchester Evening News to the address shown,

Or you can instruct your bank to make an automated payment to the Cheshire account using Sort Code: 20-53-77, holding account No: 50244961 and follow this with the The Winter Warmer Account No: 507777650.

You can also read about the appeal at thecheshire.co.uk or simply walk into any branch of the Cheshire.

M.E.N. Editor Paul Horrocks said: "Talking to people who have recently retired, it is clear many are almost embarrassed to get a fuel payment from the government when they are not struggling financially and know they can heat their home without it.

"We thought that readers who are in that position might like to pass that money on to those who do need it rather than just spending it on themselves. It might make a real difference to many elderly people in Greater Manchester."

Karen McCormick, chief executive of Cheshire Building Society said: "We are delighted to support the M.E.N in this very important initiative and would like to encourage readers to get involved.

"The Winter Warmer programme ensures that individuals who do not need the fuel allowance can pass it on to someone who would really benefit from the gift and it couldn't be easier to take part."

An Age Concern spokesman said: "With the average fuel bill having risen over 60 per cent in the last four years, it is understandable many older people worry about affording high fuel bills. Yet by not heating their home adequately, older people could be putting their health at risk."

Click here for details on how to make a donation to the winter warmer appeal.