WELL-OFF pensioners are being asked to donate their winter fuel allowances to those in desperate need.

The Surviving Winter appeal has been launched across Kirklees to help those living in fuel poverty.

The scheme is being organised by the community foundation for Kirklees, One Community, as part of a national initiative.

The donated money will be used to help older and vulnerable people in Kirklees stay warm, eat well and remain mobile.

It will also help them in practical ways such as ensuring they can make doctor’s appointments, get to the shops and maintain an active social life.

IntSticks wrote: “It’s never going to happen.

The pensioners in their 60s that I know rely on this payment to go towards a winter holiday in Spain!”

Allie thought the previous poster was on the right track: “Got to agree with IntSticks. My father used his to pay for Christmas and won’t put his heating on to keep warm. He just sits in front of the fire to try and keep his bills down.”

anneb was torn: “Hard one to judge. One may say they were prudent and saved for their old age while some just spent theirs; some may not have been able to afford to.

“Some say it should only go to those who are no longer working, some chose to use it for other things, as been said before, eg spending Christmas abroad; each to their own.”

For Magdale it was clear: “We should be redirecting Third World aid to our own needy.

“Why do politicians let our own folk suffer and yet still hand out cash to non-British nationals?”

Tigger: “I’m sure you don’t want an answer to challenge your cosy simple assumptions Magdale but I’ll give you one anyway ... we give foreign aid because it is in our interest to do so.

“You can attempt to create ‘fortress Britain’ as much as you like, but illegal immigration will still continue. The other part of the equation is to improve living standards and opportunities in other countries so people don’t want/need to leave.

“We also need markets abroad to buy our fancy goods and services – if we help develop countries then we help achieve it, and I’m certain that many of these countries do not forget who their friends are (particularly if the aid is provided with strings attached). It increases our influence abroad.

“Finally, the actual spending power of our poorest pensioners has increased hugely over the past 15 years or so. Pensioners are not the deserving cases they once were.”