Preston North End and Preston North End Community and Education Trust [PNECET] are to deliver the Warm Whites campaign to support Preston residents affected by fuel poverty over the festive period.
Through funding from both the club and PNECET, the initiative will invite the general public to identify and nominate individuals who may be struggling this winter, particularly against the landscape of rising fuel prices in recent months.
Donate to the Warm Whites campaign
An issue that affects households that cannot afford to keep warm at home, the club and PNECET will look to address fuel poverty across Preston by distributing necessary resources to those in need.
Warm Whites packs will contain information on the Household Support Fund from the Department for Work and Pensions, which assists residents who do not have enough resources to meet their immediate or short-term needs over the winter period.
Also included in the packs will be blankets, hats, gloves, hot chocolate, a packet of biscuits and puzzle books, while a PNECET information pack will also form part of the delivery, consisting of reading materials such as copies of the matchday programme and materials providing more details about the Trust’s provision.
The packs will be available for collection from the PNECET office at Deepdale, situated at the back of the Alan Kelly Town End, or alternatively can be delivered upon request and in this case will be distributed by members of PNECET staff.
Those who receive the packs themselves will also be invited to nominate another person they feel may benefit from the initiative as part of a referral scheme.
Chief Executive Officer of the Trust Tom Drake said: “The cold winter weather, rising fuel prices and the on-going Covid-19 pandemic are just some of the factors which have led to the issue of fuel poverty, causing real challenges for countless families at this time.
“Households affected by fuel poverty are said to be more at risk of the worst effects of Covid-19, and the links between cold temperatures and respiratory problems have been well documented by Public Health England, which we feel will only be exacerbated over the winter period.
“As the official charity of Preston North End, we see it as our continued duty to adapt to the changing needs of our community.
“We hope that by offering items such as hot water bottles, hats and gloves, we can make a small contribution – with the support of the Preston community – to addressing the issue of fuel poverty, while continuously working in partnership with Preston City Council to make a lasting change in this area going forward.”
The initiative will run from Monday 6th December until Thursday 23rd December and both donations and referrals from the general public are now being sought to support the initiative.
Donations can be made via the Trust’s Supported Giving platform by clicking here.
If you wish to refer an individual or family to receive a Warm Whites pack, please click here to download our digital form, and upon completion, return via email to community@pne.com and use 'Warm Whites' in the subject title of your email.
Those who find difficulty completing the form digitally can call the community office on 01772 693309 or email community@pne.com for further support.