GRATEFUL staff at the Coventry Samaritans have thanked a housebuilder for a donation which will help it continue to offer its life-saving services.
The charity received a £500 donation from Barratt Homes to mark Samaritans Awareness Day.
Mike Ballinger, Trustee of the Coventry and District Samaritans, said: “Barratt Homes’ very kind donation of £500 will enable us to take 125 calls from anyone who needs to talk. It could be about anything that is troubling them, including thoughts of ending their life.
“Like all charities, we need money to sustain and refresh our service. We are very grateful for the donation, and for Barratt Homes’ interest in Samaritans, which will help spread our message.”
Formed in 1964, the Coventry Samaritans have listened to and helped around one million people. It runs outreach events within Coventry and surrounding areas, including Rugby, to raise awareness of its services and the importance of talking about personal problems.
Mike continued: “We do various things around the local community, including safety awareness days at local railway stations. We also train volunteer prisoners at HMP Onley and Rye Hill to listen to and support their fellow inmates, as suicide rates are nine times higher in prison than in the general population.
“We also give talks to any organisation or company that wants to hear about us, and we are members of the Coventry and Warwickshire Suicide Prevention Group.”
The Samaritans are always looking for Listening Volunteers. Visit https://tinyurl.com/34acredd for more information.
