Getting the Samaritan message across

The Samaritans, which has an office in West Street, erected a stand on the high street, close to the Wilkinson store, with a number of volunteers on hand to advise about their services and also recruit new volunteers to the team.
Around £600 was raised as passers-by made a donation to play a game, which involved spinning the hands of a clock face. Prizes of shopping, restaurant and beauty salon vouchers were awarded if the hands landed on 24 or 7, to indicate that the service operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Further donations were brought in through collection buckets around the town.
Newbury Samaritans director, Ros Caffyn, said: “The day was a great success. Thanks to the support of local businesses and the public we raised over £600.
“We were delighted by the number of people who came forward expressing an interest in volunteering with us and also received lots of expressions of thanks from Newbury people who had been helped by us during difficult times in their lives.”
All funds raised will go towards the charity’s overheads.