Samaritans is given a Hollywood helping hand

Samaritans is linking exclusively with Universal Pictures to make Frank Capra's 1946 classic 'It's a Wonderful Life' a must-have charity gift this Christmas.

Universal Pictures is donating 50p from the first 100,000 copies sold to Samaritans, the emotional support charity, and these unique collector's edition DVDs will be on sale from Monday 26 November in general retailers.

The GBP50,000 that will be raised from the sales of 'It's a Wonderful Life' will go towards the costs of recruiting and training new volunteers to ensure that Samaritans can remain open day and night for anyone in distress.

'It's a Wonderful Life' features the story of one man's journey from despair to hope, after he realises, with the help of a trainee angel, that life is worth living despite the threat of financial ruin and suicide.

Guardian angel Clarence shows George what life would have been like if he had never been born and just how many people's lives he has touched.

Samaritans PR Officer Kate Redway said: "With its universal message of hope, love and community, 'It's a Wonderful Life' is the perfect Christmas feel-good movie and Samaritans is thrilled to be partnering with Universal Pictures and benefiting from sales of the DVDs".

At Christmas Samaritans volunteers continue to work round-the-clock to provide vital emotional support to distressed people like George, receiving a call every six seconds.

The charity receives an increase in calls from people with money worries and feelings of loneliness and isolation at this time of year.

Samaritans expects more calls and emails than ever before this Christmas and its trained volunteers will be there to answer every one of them.

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