Bromley couple set for winter with new radiators

Despite pledges and various measures to tackle issues such as fuel poverty among the elderly, replacing worn-out radiators remains out of reach for many of the country's pensioners. It is essential that we are there to help those who aren't eligible for funding and don't have enough money to cover this type of vital expenditure. We are very pleased to have been able to help the Patersons...

Pensioners Norman and Peggy Paterson are now equipped for the cold weather with new central heating radiators. The old radiators had started leaking and fearing they might burst, cause worse damage to the house and as they could not afford repairs or replacements they turned them off . Consequently the couple lived for over four years with just one small portable electric fire to heat their Anerley home even though they had a perfectly good central heating boiler!

With no savings, relying on pensions and disability allowances for daily living, purchasing replacement radiators was out of the question. They therefore decided to call on the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA), a charity that supports serving and ex-servicemen. Working with SSAFA, AFTAID helped prepare the couple for winter by replacing all the radiators.

This is a prime example of just how absurd the circumstances can get for our older people. With all the attention given to the cold weather and its effects on the elderly, with a working boiler but no serviceable radiators the Pattersons had extremely meagre heating and did not know where to turn for help.

If you know of an older person like Norman and Peggy, in very difficult circumstances, who may be eligable for help from AFTAID, click here to find out how to obtain the Grant Application Forms.

"We had our boiler replaced but the radiators were the original ones from the 1960s. When they started to leak, about four years ago, we just turned them off. We were worried that another winter would bring more leaks or that the radiators would burst"

"We tried to make do by wrapping up warm and not staying up too late in the evenings but as each winter came, it caused me and my wife more distress."

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