HELP is being offered to people struggling to pay their fuel bills.

Knutsford Lions launched their Project Wenceslas Appeal’nine years ago to help pensioners, families and individuals keep warm.

In the past, the scheme asked pensioners who do not need their Winter Fuel payments to make a contribution to help those less fortunate to keep warm.

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With the cutting of Winter Fuel Payments and many other official support schemes coming to an end, they fear there will be extra pressure on some pensioners and people already struggling to make ends meet.

This project is designed to give short term help to cover immediate crises, without the bureaucracy associated with other schemes.

A recent review reported that most help was for fuel and food, although help of different kinds was also given.

More than 100 grants have been made over the last year, including to the Hope Central Knutsford foodbank.

The scheme is administered for the Lions by two local hubs, the Welcome at Longridge and Citizens Advice Cheshire North.

Other local organisations such as Hope Central are able to tap into the scheme and Knutsford Lions deal with some items not covered by the hubs themselves.

Paul Buttrick, president of Knutsford Lions said: ‘Even though the Winter Fuel Allowance has been removed for millions of pensioners, we still want to run the scheme because some people will still be struggling financially and we are appealing for people in general to help out.

“We can’t pay people’s bills for them, but we can make a small difference to some who are in real crisis.

“We are very grateful to all those who have supported the scheme in recent years."

To donate online visit justgiving.com/knutsforddistrict-lionsclub or send a cheque payable to ‘Knutsford Lions Charity Account’ (endorsed ‘Wenceslas’) to Peter Willgoose, Chestnut Cottage, Tabley Road, Knutsford WA16 ONE

Gift Aid can add 25 per cent, forms are available on request.