A LIFELINE is being offered to families struggling to heat their homes and cook hot food.

Soaring energy bills, rising grocery bills and the removal of the £20 Universal Credit uplift has left many vulnerable residents in financial difficulties.

For the seventh year running, Vale Royal Lions and Citizens Advice Cheshire West have teamed up to launch their Heating Bank campaign.

Residents in Winsford and Northwich will be eligible to receive payments towards their energy bills.

Andy Benson, of Vale Royal Lions, said: "Just £22, alongside budgeting support from Citizens Advice, has been enough to provide heat, light to enable people to get back on track.”

Last year, with the help of national funding, Citizens Advice Cheshire West issued more than 800 fuel vouchers to 1,124 local residents, including 812 families with children under the age of 16.

Payments were credited directly to the prepayment meter or utility account of those in need, in conjunction with the Fuel Bank Foundation.

In rural areas clients were helped with coal, wood and calor gas.

Sean McInerny, community connector for Citizens Advice Cheshire West said: “The pandemic has left many residents struggling to pay for fuel, often through no fault of their own. The most common reason we find is a delay in receiving benefit payments.

"Many people are facing a desperate situation. Last year we were approached by a client who couldn’t afford to repair his broken boiler and was relying on costly mobile heaters to keep warm.

"Thanks to the generosity of the public we were able to contribute to the cost of getting the boiler fixed.”

Anyone in receipt of the Government's winter fuel payment, who does not necessarily need it, may wish to donate some or all of it to those struggling to pay their heating bills.

All donations, no matter how big or small, will be much appreciated by the Lions, Citizens Advice Cheshire West and residents.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/campaign/heatingbanknw2021 or send a cheque made payable to Vale Royal Lions and with 'Heating Bank' written on the back to Vale Royal Lions, 10 Blandford Drive, Northwich, CW9 8UD.