KINGSWINFORD and Stourbridge Lions have given a boost to a host of Black Country charities and good causes.

The Lions donated £10,250 to 27 worthy groups after totting up the proceeds of their latest successful festive fundraiser with Santa and his sleigh.

The money was handed over at a presentation evening at Stourbridge Institute to a raft of organisations that took to the streets with the Lions in December – and donations were also made to Compton Hospice, Mary Stevens Hospice and Breast Cancer Care.

Kelley Dyas from the Ryemarket was also presented with a defibrillator unit for the Stourbridge shopping centre – to be used in the event of a cardiac emergency.

The donation from the Lions, worth around £1,600, also included funds to train 12 staff at the centre on how to use the heart-restarting device.