Community Link is aiming to raise $60,000 to help locals heat their homes this winter.

Each year the organisation faces an increase in requests for support from families who are unable to keep up with the cost of their heating needs, Community Link general manager Kate Murray said. 

Last year Community Link saw a 30 percent increase in demand for heating assistance compared to a year earlier - and it is already seeing early signs of even higher need this year, she said.

“We are reaching out to the community before winter arrives, seeking donations to ensure we are fully resourced to meet the needs of those who will turn to us for help,” Kate said.

The challenge is often due to unforeseen events that either increase a family’s expenses or reduce their income, Kate said, and in turn “heating costs become a significant burden”.

“Many are families with kids attending schools,” she said. “These are often two-income families where the income earners are on good salaries but the support is needed when something drastic changes.”

“Additionally, we often see single-parent households, clients on medical or social benefits, and others for whom these benefits don’t stretch far enough to cover the extra costs associated with heating during the winter months.”

Last winter Community Link invested $45,000 in heating support, primarily for firewood. PHOTO: Wānaka App

To help keep local residents and families warm last winter, Community Link invested $45,000 in heating support, which went primarily towards firewood, with some going to electricity and gas bills.

“Based on our projections, we anticipate that we will need $60,000 to meet the expected demand for heating assistance this winter,” Kate said.

“The fundraising landscape is increasingly competitive, and we really need the community's support.”

Community Link hopes the community will get behind the ‘Cold Kids’ campaign, with all donations going directly to providing heating support for local families.

Residents can make a donation on the Community Link ‘support us’ webpage.

Community Link would also like to hear from anyone with trees that need clearing or spare firewood available to donate; or businesses that would like to run a promotional campaign; and retirees can donate their heating allowance from their pension if it's not required.

To get in touch, call Community Link on (03) 443 7799.

The heating issue is part of a challenging economic landscape for many people in the community.

Use of Community Link’s food bank doubled last year and demands for all of its other services - immigration, Justice of the Peace, social worker services and so on - have also trended upwards.

PHOTO: Wānaka App