The 35% rise in fuel costs recently announced by British Gas is a major concern for the elderly and vulnerable this winter.
Keeping warm is a particular priority for the 10 million in the UK who suffer Raynaud's Disease, a condition in which blood is prevented from reaching the extremities on exposure to the cold or any slight change in temperature.
Without adequate he
at a Raynaud's attack may occur, in which the fingers and toes turn white, then blue and finally red when the blood flow is restored.
There is no cure for Raynaud's and treatments are inadequate due to the many side effects, so heat is the only way in which people who have the condition severely can survive.
Anne Mawdsley MBE, Chief Executive of the Raynaud's & Scleroderma Association and a sufferer of severe Raynaud's says: "It is an absolute disgrace that British Gas are permitted to implement such a rise without giving thought to those who have a medical condition for which heat is their only way of alleviating the problem. Even last winter we were getting calls from people asking if there was any way in which they could get an allowance towards their heating bills. I dread to think what the coming winter will be like".
The Raynaud's & Scleroderma Association has a new leaflet containing Handy Hints on Keeping Warm and also a leaflet of tried and tested heating aids which are available. These can be obtained by sending an SAE to The RSA, 112 Crewe Road, Alsager, Cheshire ST7 2JA or by calling 0800 917 2494 and leaving their details. Alternatively visit www.raynauds.org.uk
