Pensioners vulnerable to wintry weather

Ally McGilvray • Published 5 Jan 2010 12:48 0 Comments

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PENSIONERS across the Borders have been left stranded in their own homes and cut off from their communities as the region bore the brunt of the bad weather.

And, with the cold snap set to continue over the weekend and more snow and sub-zero temperatures forecast, South of Scotland MSP Christine Grahame - the Older People's champion in the Scottish Parliament - has urged everyone to check on their elderly neighbours to help them survive.

She is also reminding those at risk to contact the Energy Saving Trust, which offers to help them reduce their fuel bills and improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

Ms Grahame said: "It is important that we all take care of elderly relatives and neighbours during what is a particularly bad spell of weather. It's just a case of checking on them, maybe helping to dig their paths, put down salt or make sure they have their heating on and that pre-payment cards are topped up.

"It might be impossible for elderly people to make it out to their local shops, especially in a rural area like the Borders, so offering to pick up a bit of shopping while you are out can go a long way to making sure an older person manages the cold weather."

For more information on The Energy Saving Trust freephone 0800 512 012 or log on to the website: www.energyassistancepackage.com

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