Lillian Rose Marks cuts a graceful figure as she sits smiling behind an elegant line of portraits resting on her window sill. Black and white photos her late husband, mother, to her sisters children, dating back from the 1930’s to the present, tell a generation of family stories. Lillian was born in 1913. At 98 years old, she greets us with laughter and a beaming smile as she talks to Muslim Aid about her life.

“I was fit as a fiddle before I reached the age of 80. Until then, I use to do everything around the house, even the decorating. I use to be a French Polisher too. Now it’s very difficult for me to move around.” She says.

Since her husband died in 1998, she has been living alone in her house in Bethnal Green. As the sole surviving member of her family, Lillian relies on the support of friends and her carer. Last winter, she received practical support from Muslim Aid and Age Concern Tower Hamlets, through its 2010 Winter Campaign, to support the elderly cope with the winter.

The campaign was launched in response to the appalling statistics that around 3.5 million elderly in the UK live in fuel poverty and a staggering 30,000 die during the winter months annually, due to cold related causes.

As the elderly are susceptible to health problems arising from inadequate heating and a poorly insulated home, Lillian was given draught excluders for her doors; greatly reducing her energy bills and keeping her warm throughout the winter. She said: “Last winter was cold; I use to have the heaters on day and night. I use to put cloth on the doors to stop the draught coming through. Muslim Aid gave me draught excluders for the front, middle and back door and now there’s no more draught. “

Muslim Aid also helped Lillian with purchasing a new kettle as her old one broke. David Downes was appointed as one of her ‘Handypersons’ by Age Concern Tower Hamlets in partnership with Muslim Aid.  The aim of this project is to encourage people to help the elderly with their household maintenance in Tower Hamlets. David said: “The’ Handyperson’ project is a good way to help others. Since I came to see Lillian, I have fixed her loose cables, which were a trip hazard. I ensured they were safe. With Muslim Aid’s money I also purchased the kettle for her. I’m coming back to fit draught excluders on the door key holes.”

“It’s made my life easier since David has come along. I ring him if I need to do small jobs around the house, for example my lamp did not work the other day and he came round to fix it. Another young man, called Imran, came along and fitted a rail for the bed.”  Said Lillian happily.

With the Winter Campaign, the elderly have been supplied with thermal blankets, hot water bottles and heaters.  Indeed, like Lillian’s example, Muslim Aid endeavours to support the elderly community, echoing David’s poignant sentiment, “If you’ve got the time, it’s a worthy cause to help the elderly- it’s a section of the community we should help more. “