Warm shelter volunteers Bill and Mary fear cold shoulder this winter

SELFLESS Bill and Mary Donaldson have dedicated their lives to helping others who struggle to heat their homes and afford food.

- Giles Sheldrick

They have volunteered at a weekly drop-in centre where those in need can find sanctuary in a safe and warm environment.

But this year they are fearful - for those they help, as well as themselves after Chancellor Rachel Reeves axed winter fuel payment for around 10 million pensioners.

Last year, the Christian couple, who have five children and seven grandchildren, received £600 in cold weather cash. This year, they will not get a penny.

Instead, they will use two cheap hand-held heaters bought over the internet and put them to use when autumn arrives.

That, coupled with extra clothing layers and blankets, will provide warmth across four long months as they ration central heating, which will be limited to 18C (64F).

The winter payment, which has been available to all of state pension age since 1997, will be scrapped on September 16.

Only those receiving pension credit a payment to which nearly 900,000 are entitled but do not claim or certain other benefits, will be eligible for the cash.

The allowance remains unchanged at £200 for those aged between 66 and 79 and £300 for over-80s.

The number entitled to the one-off payment to help them through the year's coldest months will plummet from 11.4 million to 1.5 million.