MORE than 150 people braved near freezing temperatures by sleeping outside in the Lake District overnight to highlight the potentially fatal risks that elderly people face during the cold winter months.

Campers from Cumbria and beyond pitched up on the shores of Windermere outside Low Wood Bay Hotel on Saturday January 28 as part of the Big Sleep, which is now in its fourth year.

The initiative is run by Cumbria Community Foundation as part of the Winter Warmth appeal which has raised £600,000 in seven years.

With fuel poverty a "serious issue in Cumbria", the CCF is keen to help vulnerable older people across the county heat their homes during winter when temperatures often drop below freezing.

The county's police and crime commissioner, Peter McCall, celebrated his birthday by enduring a freezing night by the water to highlight the issue at hand.

Mr McCall, who spent time in the military, said: "The Winter Warmth Appeal is clearly a brilliant initiative and we should all be worried about elderly folk not being able to keep themselves warm in winter and by doing this we raise publicity about this important cause.

"In my 30 years in the army I've spent my birthday in one or two different places but this is a novel setting and I thoroughly enjoyed waking up on a sunny Sunday morning overlooking the lake."

Recent figures from the Office of National Statistics have revealed a sharp increase in the number of excess winter deaths in Cumbria.

Usually the cold weather in the winter months is responsible for the deaths of 300 elderly people across the county.

However, recent bad winters have seen temperatures drop below freezing and damning statistics revealed that 160 more Cumbrians died than expected in 2015.

Annalee Holliday, who helped to organise the event through the CCF, praised those who brave bitterly cold temperatures year after year for the Big Sleep with this year's event expected to raise more than £20,000 for the appeal.

She said: "This is a real issue. There are lots of elderly people out there who can't afford to heat their homes and spending one night suffering in the cold makes people realise that this is what elderly people go through every night in winter.

"The people who take part are absolutely amazing and before any of them had even slept through the night they had raised £9,000 through their JustGiving pages which is incredible."

The event attracts sleepers from all walks of life with the oldest participant aged 69.

However, this year, more than 50 youngsters joined their parents and scouting groups to take part with children as young as four withstanding temperatures as low as one degree celsius for the cause.

Sian Whittlemore, of Oxford Street, Ulverston, travelled north to participate with her partner Paul Baxendale and their three children Iona, six, Izak, nine, and Owen, 13.

The 45-year-old said: "The kids absolutely love the idea of camping out in the cold and having a laugh throughout the night. It's something that we really enjoy doing together as a family.

"They have been telling their friends and teachers about it all week and they understand that this is helping older members of our community that often have to choose between heating and eating.

"It's a very genuine problem and where we live people can get very wet and cold and if they have been outside and can't get warm inside their own homes it is potentially a killer.

"People should be safe in their own homes and this is an important way to raise awareness for the older members of our community."

NHS advice on keeping warm in winter:-

WITH more and more elderly people at risk of dying in their homes in winter due to freezing cold temperatures, here is some advice from the NHS on how to keep warm.

- Keep the temperature of your house above 18C

If you have reduced mobility, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, you should heat your home to at least 18C. It's a good idea to keep your bedroom at this temperature all night if you can and using a hot water bottle or an electric blanket is a great way to keep warm.

- Eat well in winter

Make sure you have hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day and keep active in the home if you can.

- Wear warm clothes

Wrap up warm, inside and out. Wear lots of thin layers – clothes made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres are particularly good and help to maintain body heat.

- Access financial benefits

A Winter Fuel Payment of between £100 and £300 tax-free is available to help you pay your heating bills if you were born on or before January 5 1953.

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