The industry charity has been swamped with claims as its easily accessible helpline enabled more people to get in touch.

The Lighthouse Club has also been focusing on mental health which has seen a surge in people looking for help.

The charity handed out £1.22m in financial support to families last year with nearly one third of that going to people affected by mental health and well being issues.

Nearly everyone who called-in reporting mental health problems received payments for a course of counseling worth more than £200 from the charity.

The rise in payouts saw the charity make a deficit of £333.272 last year despite a rise in fundraising and a £209,000 CITB grant to help train mental health first aid instructors.

Chairman of the Trustees Cormac MacCrann said: “The amount of charitable support provided to our construction families in need was £1.22m, a huge increase of 67% on the previous year.

“Of the 1662 cases presented to the helpline, 1033 were given support on issues ranging from mental wellbeing, through to legal, debt management and taxation advice.

“Although our fundraising is at an all-time high, the significant escalation in families needing our support has put considerable pressure on our finances, resulting in having to draw down from previous reserves to deliver support.

“We also know that our caseload is continuing to increase this year and we are working tirelessly to ensure that our construction workers and their families have access to the financial and practical support they deserve and need.”

The charity is now calling on more firms to give regular backing via its Company Supporters Initiative.