Well-off pensioners give £2m fuel payments to poorer households Saga, which launched the "Surviving Winter" campaign, said donors' generosity had enabled Community Foundation volunteer groups across the country to help more than 20,000 older people pay heating bills, as well as ensuring they received regular hot meals over the winter. The campaign was backed by a number of high-profile celebrities, including Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Terry Wogan, Ann Widdecombe and June Whitfield, who all pledged to "recycle" their winter fuel payments. These universal benefits are paid to all pensioner households, regardless of income. The payment is worth £250, rising to £300 for households where at least one member is aged 80 or more. Last year more than 12.6 million received the payment, and while many will need it to help pay rising fuel costs, more than 450,000 recipients are higher-rate taxpayers and an estimated 100,000 have incomes of £100,000 or more. Rather than simply not claiming their payments, the campaign asked people to donate an equivalent sum that would be targeted at helping the poorest pensioners cope with the cold conditions. Ros Altmann, the director general of Saga, said: "Every year, the winter freeze poses a very real problem for so many families, including millions of older people struggling to keep warm. We are delighted that the fantastic media and celebrity support, and the sheer generosity of so many good, and kind hearted people, has helped the Surviving Winter Campaign raise such a significant amount of money. It is wonderful that so many people were helped this winter, with every pound donated being spent on those in need.