FRIENDS of Herefordshire Samaritans report that its charity lunch, held on March 17, at Lyde Arundel, was a huge success and raised nearly £5,000.

Guest speaker at the event was the international designer Linda Bennett OBE, founder of the LK Bennett fashion brand and £500 was raised by the auction of a luxury handbag which Linda Bennett personally donated. A total of 120 people attended the event which was held at the Haywain, Lyde, Arundel, by kind permission of Robert and Karen Watkins.

Commenting on the event's success, Mrs Rae Jones, chairman of Friends of Herefordshire Samaritans, said: "Along with the hugely popular bi-annual Ross Christmas Fair organised by the Ross group of Friends, and the Cherry Blossom Walk at Ullingswick in 2015, I would say that last Friday's Linda Bennett lunch and auction are probably the three most successful events which have been organised during my time as chairman. As with all these fund-raising events - including more than 10 supermarket and store collections las year - the money goes to running Samaritans' Berrington Street, Hereford premises, which provides round- the- clock emotional support by phone and email."

The branch in Hereford at 44A Berrington Street has around 2500 calls per month.

The volunteers, all unpaid except for expenses, try to alleviate emotional distress and reduce the incidence of suicidal feelings.

This is done by talking to people on the phone, face to face at the branch premises, by email and text.