RE your letter about winter fuel payments (HAS, Jan 22). As a pensioner, I wonder why people seem to begrudge us what little we do get. There are a lot of pensioners who fought in the war and without them where would we be?

I started work at 15, and although I have numerous problems - osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and cervical spondylosis of the spine, among many other things - I still work part-time at the age of 67 to make ends meet.

My pension is £57.81 per week, plus a few pounds weekly from a company pension scheme.

Having learned to spend carefully and wisely, should I really be begrudged the £200 winter fuel payment? This is less than £4 per week.

My food, as with other pensioners, costs just the same, as does everything we need. My little luxuries consist of fresh fruit and a few sweets from time to time.

Because I have always helped myself, I have never claimed any of the current benefits. Should I have given up, sat back and done so? No. I am proud to say I am "putting in", not taking out.

Name supplied, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham.