TO mark World Heart Day next week, a scheme available to vulnerable residents in Darlington is reminding people about the vital role that warmth plays in health and wellbeing.

Ahead of World Heart Day on Monday (September 29), the npower Health Through Warmth scheme is reaching out to people, particularly those with conditions such as cardiovascular disease.

The scheme works with a range of community organisations, charities and local authorities to assist vulnerable homeowners with the funding and installation or repair of crucial heating measures in the home.

People may qualify for help if they have a long term illness, a low income with little or no savings and are unable to fully fund measures, such as a new boiler, themselves.

Elaine Midwinter, npower Health Through Warmth scheme manager, said: “World Heart Day provides us, together with our partners, with the perfect opportunity to raise awareness across Darlington of the vital role that warmth plays in health and wellbeing.

"Through our ongoing work, we’re committed to assisting vulnerable residents whose health could be affected by cold temperatures.”

Since being founded in 2000, more than 84,000 vulnerable residents across England and Wales have been referred to Health Through Warmth for assistance with heating and insulation.

Eligible residents do not have to be, or become, an npower customer to benefit from the scheme.

The scheme has been shortlisted in this year’s national Charity Times Award in recognition of its partnership approach to heating help.

For more information about the scheme or to find out if you, or someone you know, could be eligible for help, visit healththroughwarmth.com