A Southampton charity is appealing for your vote to help it fund its work supporting lonely older people.

Age UK Southampton’s ‘Combatting Loneliness’ project application to the Aviva Community Fund has successfully gone through to the Public Vote stage.

The application is for £25,000 to support its Home Visiting service, which the charity says is a vital support for growing numbers of lonely and isolated older people.

Age UK Southampton said: “According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, over half of those aged 75 and over live alone and 17% of older people have contact with family and friends less than once a week. For many people, loneliness defines their later life and has a significant impact on their health & wellbeing.”

Peter Bennie, chief officer at the charity, said: “We are dependent on local support to fund this project, and it costs nothing apart from a few minutes of your time.

“Simply go to our website https://www.ageuk.org.uk/southampton and click on the Aviva Community Fund link to register and vote. We currently receive no funding for this service which supports lonely older people, many of whom would only have the TV for company.

“With the cold, dark, winter nights coming up, and the sad prospect of spending the Christmas season alone, your vote could make the difference.”