THE Dorchester branch of Santander has donated £3,000 to the Dorchester Trust for counselling and psychotherapy.

Representatives from the trust, which is based in Colliton Street, received the donating from the branch’s manager Tracey Williams after Santander customers nominated the trust to receive the donation from the bank’s foundation.

The trust is a self-funded organisation that offers counselling and psychotherapy sessions to people who are suffering from mental health issues such as anxiety and depression and cannot afford to see a private therapist.

It has been running since 2005 and currently has 24 volunteers who help in the care of its 38 clients, and helps people recover from short and long term issues.

The donation from the bank will go towards the yearly administrative costs the trust incurs, ensuring the service is continued to be provided and Mary Listers, clinical director at the trust, thanked the bank for its donation.

She said: “It is a fantastic donation.

“We are trying to be self-funded and ask clients to contribute when they come to us for sessions.

“All of our trust practitioners are volunteers but clearly we need to pay our administration costs and our senior members for assessments.

“We find, on a yearly basis, we have a shortfall of about £3,000 to £4,000 so this grant will see us through the next year, even though we have to continue to fundraise. We are very grateful to Santander and would like to thank them for the support.”

Tracey Williams, manager of the Santander Dorchester branch, said: “The money was from the Santander foundation, and customers came into the branch and nominated the charities they thought should get the money.

“We are keen supporters of charities, both local and national charities, and I am really pleased we have been able to support a worthwhile local cause and wish them all the best in the future.”