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Cystic Fibrosis Trust launches urgent festive appeal to help those struggling with the cost of living this winter
The Trust has seen an increase in the demand for its Emergency Grants to help those who are struggling to eat properly, heat their home or buy household essentials. It has also launched a new dedicated Cost of Living grant fund to provide additional support this winter for those most in need.
The Charity has also seen a dramatic increase in demand for its support, with people in desperate need of urgent help such as a man with CF who has been sleeping in his car as he was too afraid to put his heating on at home after getting into debt with his energy supplier, and a mother of a young child with CF who was choosing not to eat to make sure her little boy was fed and kept warm.
With the current rate of inflation I am dreading that I’m not going to be able to afford to put my heating on when it gets colder this winter, which is particularly concerning because having CF means I need to stay warm to stay healthy. I am already struggling to keep up with the top ups on my meter, and in November alone I have burned through money I don’t have on heating my home and hot water.
Shane, age 30 from Scotland who has cystic fibrosis
It has been an incredibly difficult year for everyone, but the extra burden of having cystic fibrosis brings increased financial worries to people with CF. That’s why this Christmas, the Trust are asking for donations to ensure those with CF struggling this winter can be supported, and don’t have to put their health at risk.
Richard Madeley, GMB presenter and an ambassador of Cystic Fibrosis Trust
People with CF face higher energy and food bills due to the additional costs needed to maintain a high calorie diet, as well as using more energy taking care of themselves. This includes keeping their homes warm to stave off lung infections, running additional washing machine cycles to wash clothes which need washing more often, needing an extra fridge to store sterile medications, and running medical equipment like ventilators.
The Trust’s recent Cost of CF report data also revealed:
- 69% felt they have less money compared to those around them, due to either their own or their child’s cystic fibrosis
- 80% felt their cystic fibrosis or caring responsibilities had an impact on their employment
- 1 in 3 had to prioritise one basic essential over another
The cost of living is affecting everyone but now more than ever we really need people’s support to protect the health of people with CF. We’re seeing an unprecedented demand for our services and even before this latest crisis 1 in 3 people told us they were missing vital hospital appointments because of concerns about the costs involved, and we fear this will get worse.
David Ramsden, chief executive of Cystic Fibrosis Trust
There’s been a huge surge of calls to our helpline and more and more people are applying for our emergency grants and our newly launched Cost of Living Fund – which helps protect the health of people with CF who are most in need through the winter months. We hope people will consider donating today to help us keep helping people with cystic fibrosis who need us the most.