A CHARITABLE foundation has distributed £17m of grants in the 15 years it has been established.

The annual meeting of County Durham Community Foundation, which manages charitable giving on behalf of people and companies, presented an outstanding achievement award to Darlington Samaritans. Foundation chief executive Barbara Gubbins said: “We know that things are going to get tougher and we must not let the most vulnerable in our society suffer.

“The ‘Big Society’ is a constant topic of debate and uncertainty.

“However it shapes up, I believe we should embrace the opportunity to work together better, forming closer partnerships with all sectors, thinking outside the box and seeing how we can add value to each other for the greater good.”

The Darlington Samaritans was given £500 as part of its award, which will become an annual honour. It was given the award for setting up a text service that is being introduced nationwide.

Tony Vickers, the director of the Darlington and District Samaritans, said: “I am absolutely over the moon and shocked to get the award.

“This is for all the hard work put in by our volunteers.”