Samaritans Urges Commuters To Help Them Answer Calls
Samaritans has launched a new campaign on the rail network, calling for commuters to make a £3 donation to allow them to answer every single call that is made to its helpline.
Running for six weeks, the campaign ‘A missed call is no big deal unless it’s to Samaritans’ will feature on train networks including First Capital Connect, South West Trains and London Overground. People can get involved by simply texting ‘SUPPORT’ to 70123* and making a £3 donation to Samaritans.
This campaign compliments Samaritans’ existing partnership with Network Rail, which aims to reduce suicides on the railways through training and advertising initiatives.
Over 5 million calls are made to Samaritans every year and the charity urgently needs to raise funds to allow its volunteers to be there for every person who is struggling to cope.
Funds generated from this campaign will allow Samaritans to be there for people like Kevin Shepherd who called when things got too much and he was about to take his life. He said: “I don’t want to think about what might have happened if no one had been able to answer my call. Making a £3 donation could help save the life of someone like me by ensuring that Samaritans can be there in the future.”
Samaritans’ Executive Director of Fundraising, Rachel Kirby Rider said “Through this new campaign, and our work with the rail industry we hope to continue to make a real difference to people going through a tough time. Last year we received a call for help every six seconds, showing the need for us to continue to be there is greater than ever. Samaritans is marking its 60th birthday on 2 November, only with the public’s kind donations can we be here for another 60 years.”
