A NATIONAL charity says 68 per cent of the people it has helped in the North-East said they were cutting back on heating their homes because of the cost.

Turn2us helps people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits and charitable grants.

The charity is now launching its ‘No Cold Homes’ campaign to raise awareness of the different types of support that are available.

Those over the age of 55 and people living with a disability were most at risk from struggling financially with heating costs, it said.

The charity gave the example of one woman from Darlington, Sheena Stephenson, who said worrying about fuel bills made her ill until she received help and support.

Describing the impact that struggling with the cost of heating her home has had on her, she said: “I had to go to bed each winter by 3pm to keep warm as I couldn't afford to keep my heating on more than an hour a day.”

Turn2us recently met with a range of energy companies at the House of Commons to discuss how vulnerable people can get better access to help with their fuel bills.

Its chief executive Simon Hopkins said people were needlessly suffering in cold homes with many unaware of support that they could get towards fuel bills.

He said: “It is absolutely imperative that people are made aware that help is available. "That is why we are urging people to check with relatives and neighbours, especially those who are older or living with a disability, so that we can tackle this situation head on."

  • For more information about financial assistance and the campaign visit the website For more information, please visit www.turn2us.org.uk