Ref. 28101-04AGE Concern Swindon is calling on people to highlight the need for heat by wearing a hat.

Throughout this month the charity is calling on people throughout the town to organise Wear A Hat Days.

In exchange for a £1 donation, people in workplaces, clubs and other groups will be entitled to wear a hat of their choosing.

But the fun campaign, which the charity is running nationwide, is highlighting a serious issue.

Age Concern says about 20,000 elderly people each year die as result of the cold.

The charity says some people may have poorly-heated homes or they may be afraid of the expense of using heating.

Jo Osorio, the director of Age Concern Swindon, said: "We are raising money to help ensure people are safe and well over the winter. It is part of our Fight The Freeze campaign."

The campaign includes educating more vulnerable senior citizens about the various benefits open to them and offering practical advice and help with heating.

"We want to encourage people to organise Wear A Hat Days at their places of work or anywhere else where there is a group of people. They can do it on any day during December," said Jo.

Age Concern Swindon has all the necessary information and items for anybody organising a Wear A Hat Day

For more details telephone 01793 692166.