A CUMBRIAN charity is asking people to brave the cold and raise awareness for the plight of older people who lose their lives in the winter.

The annual Big Sleep raises thousands of pounds for Cumbria Community Foundation’s Winter Warmth Appeal.

Taking place on the shore of Windermere, the sponsored event gives people a chance to experience what it is like to sleep without heat and raise funds to help keep older people warm.

Andy Beeforth, chief executive of the Foundation, said: “Older Cumbrians should not be dying because they can’t afford to keep themselves warm in winter, and we need to help change that."

With 300 Cumbrians dying each year as they are forced to choose between staying warm or eating, the Winter Warmth appeal is committed to raising money to help the elderly from rising fuel costs and poor health.

In 2017 the Winter Warmth Appeal raised almost £134,000. More than £24,000 of that came from Big Sleep fundraisers who spent a night under the stars in temperatures which dropped below zero during the night.

This year a team from Temple Heelis Solicitors in Kendal are taking part in the Big Sleep. They have chosen Cumbria Community Foundation as their charity of the year, and to help raise funds the staff will be joined by their families.

Shelley Savasi, senior probate administrator, said: “The funds we raise will go towards keeping older Cumbrians warm and well. The team will experience a snapshot of what it is like to be exposed to winter temperatures, as do those who can’t afford to heat their homes.”

Next year's Big Sleep is being held on January 27 but those who cannot make it are welcome to hold their own event.

Fifty Allied Health Professionals from across Cumbria will be doing just that when they spent the night at Honister Slate Mine on January 20.

Janet Folland, professional lead for Occupational Therapist at Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, is organising the event.

“In my years of living and working in Cumbria I have met many older people for whom keeping warm is a real issue," she said. "We have older people within our communities who struggle to meet the costs of heating their homes and whose poor physical and mental health means they are more vulnerable and isolated."