MORE than £17,000 has been raised so far for a ‘Surviving Winter’ appeal in Cornwall.

The Cornwall Community Foundation says it is grateful to everybody who has supported the appeal so far.

The Foundation says it welcomes applications from organisations helping elderly and vulnerable people stay warm, healthy and well this winter.

Kirsty Philpott said: ‘We are keen to receive applications from local community groups who support people who will find winter challenging due to fuel poverty, lack of access to hot food or energy efficiency issues.’

Last year’s Surviving Winter Campaign enabled the Foundation to awarded grants to 11 community groups, benefiting more than 630 people. Groups supported, enabling them to address specifically winter-related issues, included Concern Wadebridge, Inclusion Cornwall, Cornwall Refuge Trust, Action for Children and Age UK.

Groups can find out how to apply at www.cornwallfoundation.com