Pensioners in Scunthorpe offered free blankets and hot water bottles to help keep warm this winter

Hundreds of warm blankets and hot water bottles are to be handed out to pensioners in Scunthorpe, who may be faced with the “heating or eating” dilemma this winter.

On Thursday, November 7, members of the local elderly community are invited to have free coffee and cake, a chance for a chat, and a blanket and hot water bottle to take home. They can attend either the Hobbies Centre, Grange Farm Community Centre, 1 Wesley Road, DN16 1SA or Sunshine Hall, Ashby High Street, DN16 2JU, between 9.30am and 2.30pm.

For any elderly person housebound or unable to attend, they can make a call and arrange to have a blanket and hot water bottle delivered to their door. Lee Gibb, who runs LG Gutter Cleaning Services in the town, has joined forces with Teach Lincs, a specialist provider of SEND training to parents and professionals who work with children and young people with additional needs, in the project.

Lee said he was out pricing jobs about four weeks ago when he ended up speaking to an elderly man about this coming winter. “He said he didn’t know whether he would be feeding himself or heating himself,” said Lee.

“When I got home, my son asked me how my day had been and I told him what this guy had said. He said to me, ‘we’ve got to do something then’ and ‘what about some blankets and hot water bottles?’”

Ten-year-old Jaxan, who has autism, went a step further and donated £300 from his savings towards the initiative. “That’s how it all started,” said Lee.

“I do as much as I can throughout the year for various charities, and I always do something bigger at Christmas, but I think this is the biggest one we have done yet.”

Lee joined forces with Tracey Mitchell, of Teach Lincs, in a drive to raise funds and local businesses and people have joined in to such an extent that over 300 blankets and 300 hot water bottles have so far been purchased. “There are too many people to thank individually, it’s been a fantastic response,” said Lee.

“The Government has cut the winter fuel allowance. Some may say it’s only £300 but to someone on a pension, that’s a lot of money and makes the difference in being able to have heating this winter. They have been putting in all their lives and are now left struggling.”

A bucket collection at a recent Scunthorpe United match added about another £250 to the pot, with Lee, his daughter Leonie, 19, Tracey, and other volunteers helping out at the ground. “All the kids at Teach Lincs are baking the cakes for November 7,” said Lee.

“It will be somewhere for the elderly to come for a cuppa, some cake and a natter. If they can’t get out, we will hand-deliver their blanket and hot water bottle, anywhere in Scunthorpe.”

Lee, the main sponsor of Riddings Amateur Boxing Club in the town, said: “It makes me feel good, being able to help people. The other year, I paid for three families’ gas and electric over the winter. I’d like to help everybody but it’s impossible.”

Any elderly person who would like a blanket and hot water bottle dropping off is asked to call 07784 923360 to make arrangements.

Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe