BRIERLEY Hill Samaritans armed themselves with collection tins to help raise cash to keep the service up and running.

Six volunteers from the charity, which helps people in distress, manage to collect £230 from generous shoppers in Stourbridge town centre on July 12.

Graham Bristow, the branch's publicity officer, wished to thank those who donated and added: "The money will help us to continue to maintain telephone contact with our callers.

"We sometimes have to ring callers back and there are occasions when we offer follow up calls to those in distress.

"As more people switch from landlines to mobiles our telephone bill continues to rise year on year."

He continued: "People are often surprised to learn that Brierley Hill Samaritans do not receive funds from the national Samaritans organisation.

"As an independent charity we have to cover our own costs, which means that if people want to support Samaritans at the local level, it is important that they donate directly to the branch."

Mr Bristow is keen to hear from individuals or corporate organisations who would like to support the branch.

For more information, email bhsgraham@icloud.com or call 07437220402.