A CHARITY left out in the cold after its heating system broke down before Christmas has been given £2,000.

The Northallerton and the Dales branch of the Samaritans received the donation from the Yorkshire Building Society Charitable Foundation to replace its heating system.

When the old system stopped working, volunteers had to wear hats and gloves to stay warm.

Beverley Cox, from the Yorkshire Building Society, in Northallerton, said: "We are delighted to support the Northallerton branch of the Samaritans. The charity provides a vital service offering an unprejudiced, listening ear for people who are not sure where to turn.

"Hopefully, the new system will help to ensure that the volunteers who give up their time to help others can do it without icicles hanging off the end of their noses."

Samaritans publicity officer Siobhan Gifford, who works in Northallerton, said: "We are so grateful for Yorkshire Building Society's support.

"Now we can go ahead and recruit more listening volunteers without needing to check out their winter wardrobes first."

Since 1953, the charity has worked to provide free telephone, email, letter and one-to-one support to those in distress and despair through its network of 202 branches. It is funded through donations.

Its telephone lines are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Last year, the 60 volunteers in Northallerton answered more than 20,000 calls from local and national callers.