HARPENDEN Music Makers and their audience braved icy conditions for a charity concert before Christmas. Despite the weather, which threatened to stop some members of the choir and the audience from getting to Harpenden Methodist Church, on December 19, th

HARPENDEN Music Makers and their audience braved icy conditions for a charity concert before Christmas.

Despite the weather, which threatened to stop some members of the choir and the audience from getting to Harpenden Methodist Church, on December 19, the Music Makers' Celebration of a Georgian Christmas raised �2,270 for the local branch of the Samaritans.

The concert also featured the St Hilda's School choir and guest soloist and local resident Catherine Denley.

The cheque was handed over to Ros Pomeroy on behalf of the Harpenden and Luton branch of Samaritans by the chair of Harpenden Music Makers Dorothy Broughton.

Over 100 volunteers are attached to the branch, many of whom come from Harpenden and it currently costs around �28,000 per year to run.

Ros said: "This is a great deal of money to raise each year, especially as we are an independent unaided charity affiliated to the national organisation. We are so grateful for everything that people can give us so we can continue to offer the service that, sadly, so many people need.