A WYRE Forest charity boss recently spoke at a parliamentary reception hosted by Lloyds Bank Foundation about the challenges small local charities face.

More than 100 representatives of small and local charities were recognised and celebrated at the foundation's annual Westminster reception.

The charities were joined by MPs, Government ministers and representatives from Lloyds Banking Group to highlight the work of small and local charities. The event gave representatives from the charities to meet with their MPs and share with them the challenges they face supporting those in need across their local communities.

Judith Ford, CEO of Wyre Forest Nightstop, spoke to guests at the reception calling on MPs to take the experiences of the charities they represent with them to Parliament.

Representatives from Nightstop and Kidderminster-based charity Simply Limitless were at the event, as well as Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier.

At the event, Judith said: "We are all here today to celebrate small charities in communities across England and Wales but sadly many people aren't aware of the important difference local charities like Nightstop make.

"It is why we need support from others - from MPs, government, businesses and others to champion who we are and what we do."

Baroness Rennie Fritchie, chair of Lloyds Bank Foundation, added: "Across England and Wales there are 573 constituencies and what can empower charities even further is the support and advocacy of MPs of all parties and places, who get to know and understand these charities and who they work with and crucially take that insight back to this place, helping to ensure that these vital and often extraordinary local charities not only survive, but thrive."