Last night Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club Chairman, Steve Morgan, officially opened Samaritans' refurbished centre prior to Wolves' home game versus Tottenham Hotspur.
Thanks in part to a £14,000 donation from Wolves Aid, the Samaritans building has been refurbished and also converted to give disabled access, as well as the addition of a new training room.
The refurbishment will make a big difference to disabled clients who will now be able to access the centre for face-to-face sessions.
In addition, the Samaritans will be able to address their shortfall in volunteers by stepping up their efforts to recruit disabled people.
Steve Morgan's charity, The Morgan Foundation, gives thousands of pounds each year to Wolves Aid to distribute to local charities and community groups.
The Club's charity, now part of Wolves Community Trust, has helped a number of local good causes, such as Wolverhampton Multi-care and Penn Hall School and is one of the biggest football club charities of its type in the country.
Samaritans offer a 24 hour emotional support to anyone in emotional distress and can be contacted by telephone, email or by visiting their local centre.
Nationally, they receive over 5 million calls and are open 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
Here in Wolverhampton, Samaritans have 70 volunteers and receive around 2,500 calls each month but this has increased by 30% over the last two months.
The money for the project, which has cost £32,000, has had to be raised in addition to their annual running costs of £30,000.
Publicity officer Vernon Dodd, said "Many people think the government helps towards these costs, but this is not the case, we have to raise virtually all of the money ourselves.
"Wolves Aid and Wolverhampton Rotary Club have been particularly generouscontributing £14,000 and £10,000 respectivelytowards the building costs. The Co-operative, Marston's Brewery, Corus and others have contributed a further £8,000."
Steve Morgan, Chairman, Wolves, said:"Wolves Aid, part of Wolves Community Trust, aims to make a difference to local, Wolverhampton charities and community groups.
"The Samaritans has a national brand, however they are reliant on local fundraising to keep going and every penny goes towards helping people in distress in Wolverhampton and the surrounding area.
"I know Wolverhampton Samaritans have given up their own time to carry out much of the works and this speaks volumes about their dedication and commitment.
"They are a credit to the local community and I'm delighted that Wolves Aid has been able to give them a helping hand."
President Roger Tweedale of the Rotary Club of Wolverhampton has no doubts about the importance of the role played by Samaritans.
"One of the key objects of Rotary is to be of service to our community, and in doing this we are proud to be linked with Samaritans.
"Their work is not high profile, but it can be absolutely crucial to those who feel that they have nowhere else to turn.
"We are pleased to have been able to help to bring the facilities up to date, and to refurbish the premises for their committed team of helpers."
CLICK HERE for more information on Wolves Aid, part of Wolves Community Trust, Wolves' official Club charity.
Below: Steve Morgan with Mel Eves, one of Wolves' former great players.
