Local rock act Switchblade Kiss (formerly Little Unknown) will be headlining a benefit gig on April 28 at the Riverside Suite, Newport Centre, in aid of Newport Samaritans.

While it may not match the scale of Live 8, for sheer passion and cutting edge music this will be the place to be.

Warren Clark, drummer of Switchblade Kiss, explains exactly why these sort of gigs are important. "As a band we have always felt strongly about helping with charity gigs and have done a few now," he said. "We get to help a good cause while doing what we do best - playing our songs."

Newport Samaritans has been running from their current base at 43 Stow Hill for more than 35 years.

Run completely by volunteers who took more than 20,000 calls last year, new funding is as important as ever in order to keep the centre running. Samaritans exists to listen to those in distress or despair either over the telephone, via e-mail, by letter or by face-to-face contact by calling into your local centre. One volunteer said: "Samaritans is important because we're here to explore those difficult feelings in complete confidence and without judging anyone."

Tickets priced £10 are available from Newport Centre or by calling Paul Williams on 07849 496413.