Aspiring MP Esther Rantzen yesterday paid a visit to the Birmingham ChildLine call centre she founded seven years ago in a bid to attract more volunteers.

She met staff and volunteers at the Hagley Road base – after it was revealed the centre had received the highest number of calls in its history last year. More than 22,000 children and young people called to speak to a 170-strong team of volunteers seeking advice on everything from bullying to abuse.

During her visit the 68-year-old praised the work of “inspirational” staff, who give up 140 hours a year. “I continually try to analyse why I love coming to a ChildLine base, for me it’s more emotional than meeting a member of my own family,” she said. “I always say to them what they are doing for children is making my dreams come true.”

Ms Rantzen said the centre, although “busy and vibrant”, was in desperate need of more volunteers, especially to work night shifts. “Overnight calls are often more serious in nature and can be from young people who are feeling suicidal or who are seriously self-harming, are in a crisis situation where they have experienced physical abuse at home or they have run away and have no one to turn to. For these callers ChildLine can literally be a lifeline so we want to be able to answer all of the calls that come in.”

Ms Rantzen, a volunteer at the London base, said calls from children had changed dramatically in 20 years. “We now get up to eight calls a day from kids feeling suicidal. Things like cyber-bullying have become a challenge for children in recent years and the recession has affected thousands of youngsters who call ChildLine because they are worried about parents losing their jobs. ChildLine volunteers have had to adapt.”

The recession had also affected donations. “All charities are struggling at the moment. I know of two fund-raising events that had to be cancelled because people weren’t prepared to buy tickets or corporate partners were getting cold feet because of lack of advertising and media support.”

A £250,000 donation by former Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis last year, and a pledge to give £1m over four years, has funded a night service in Birmingham which allows staff to take calls from midnight to 7.30am every Thursday and Friday and one Saturday in three. Ms Rantzen said Mr Ellis’ contribution was “wonderful” and a fantastic boost to the charity.

As well as supporting ChildLine, Ms Rantzen is planning to stand as an MP for Luton South, following the disclosure current MP Margaret Moran had claimed for three second homes and £22,500 for treating dry rot. “Luton is a fantastic place, I love it. The most important thing for me is to raise the level of self-esteem among people in Luton. If you speak to Lutonians about the place, they are almost apologetic. I love the diversity and humanity, people you meet are very welcoming. I want to improve the lives of everyone in Luton.”

n Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming a volunteer counsellor for ChildLine can call 0207 650 6782.