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The Salvation Army in Stornoway is handing out free hot water bottles to people struggling to afford heating bills.

 

Salvation Army commanding officer Lieutenant Callum Newton (pictured above) said: "Since we have arrived on the island we have been made aware of the difficultly many islanders face with the cost of heating their home."

 

He said the charity acted after learning some islanders had to make the "awful decision" whether to have food or heat their home "because they can't afford to have both."

 

Some 20 hot water bottles were distributed to Lewis families over the Christmas period.

 

Mr Newton encouraged anyone who could benefit from receiving the gift of a hot water bottle not to "hesitate or be embarrassed to contact us to contact us" directly via telephone or email.

 

He said: "We know this isn't going to solve the bigger problem, but we hope that it will go some way to relieving some of the burden.

 

"A hot water bottle with a blanket can keep you warm for a good few hours and that is for the cost of boiling a kettle rather than heating the house."

 

They could also come in handy in powercuts as people with a solid fuel or butane stove could still boil water to fill the bottles.

 

Mr Newton added: "One thing we have come across is that where people do have hot water bottles already, they may only have one or two between a family of four or more. We want to be able to give these families enough for one each."

 

People wishing to donate new hot water bottles can drop them off at the Salvation Army’s hall on Bayhead, Stornoway. Back Pharmacy is donating a hot water bottle to the appeal for every one they sell.

 

Mr Newton said: "I'd really like to say to everyone, if you or anyone you know in the Western Isles could benefit from this then please do not hesitate or be embarrassed to contact us.

 

"We have already been generously given some hot water bottles and they are waiting to be given out. If you can't get to us, thinking especially of the other islands, then we will find a way of sending one to you."

 

 

Hot water bottle appeal

15 January 2016