The Charities Minister, Nick Hurd, is encouraging better off pensioners who do not need their Winter Fuel Allowance to donate the money to charity. If you are thinking of doing that but would like to see the money used locally the Caterham & Warlingham Citizens Advice Bureau would be delighted to receive it.

As Bureau Manager Philip Broad explains: "The Winter Fuel Allowance is a universal benefit for which the majority of people of pensionable age (the minimum age threshold is now over 61 years) are eligible, regardless of whether they are still working or how wealthy they are. Those eligible currently receive a one-off payment of between £200 and £300 a year depending on their age and whether they live alone or as a couple. Many of those people who receive the allowance do not need the money and there have been one or two initiatives to encourage donating it to national charities, but I would like the better off residents of north Tandridge to consider donating the money to a local good cause".

Philip added: "Many people are not aware that most local CAB outlets are separate independent charities who do not receive national grant funding. The Caterham & Warlingham Bureau is solely reliant on an annual core grant from Tandridge District Council plus whatever other grants and donations we can source. Despite having a workforce consisting largely of volunteers there are still running costs for a busy office and a small nucleus of paid staff in key positions to fund. Nowadays the core grant from TDC is insufficient to cover our costs (there was a shortfall of almost £10k for 2011-12) so it is essential that we find income from other sources to maintain the existing level of service we provide".

Anyone who would like to donate to this worthy cause should send a cheque payable to 'Caterham & Warlingham Citizens Advice Bureau' to Caterham & Warlingham CAB, Soper Hall, Harestone Valley Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6YN. For those who want their donation to be treated anonymously please mark the envelope 'Private & Confidential' and 'For the attention of the Bureau Manager' and Philip will ensure their wishes are respected.