A FUNDRAISER backed by Countdown star Rachel Riley has raised hundreds of pounds to help young people in the Black Country.

Dudley North MP Ian Austin was joined by the TV personality last month at a fundraising coffee morning at the Gather Cafe on Dudley High Street to raise money for the YMCA Black Country Group.

The organisation works to help young people thrive through finding work, housing, finding childcare and improving health and wellbeing so they can play an active part in their community.

Money raised from the event, along with a donation from the MP's Good Cause Fund, saw the final total raised reach £500.

The MP presented the cheque on behalf of the people of Dudley to the YMCA host Kerry Davis and Rachael Taylor, the Manager of the YMCA Open Doors project, which is based in West Bromwich and helps young people across the Black Country.

Ian Austin said: "Thanks to everyone who came to our coffee morning with Rachel Riley to raise funds for the YMCA Black Country Group.

“It was great to visit Kerry, Sarah and the group to hand over the donations raised from the coffee morning and my Good Causes Fund.

“I promised that when times are so tough for local families, I would use the MPs’ pay rise to increase my support for good causes and organisations in Dudley.”