Thank you! for visiting the James Miller / Tunbridge Wells & District Samaritans page.

Hi there!

My friends and family know that I have been an enthusiastic runner for more than 30 years and have always taken the opportunity to “put in a few miles” whenever I can, not just at home, but also when on holiday and business trips (I even managed to get lost while running in Jerusalem a couple of months ago!).

Although I haven’t run a marathon for 28 years, I’m training hard - currently putting in approximately 35 miles per week, and apart from a couple of twinges in my right hamstring it’s all going to plan.

“Why?” You ask. All this came together over a curry before Christmas when a good friend of mine, who is a volunteer with the Tunbridge Wells and District branch of Samaritans, was telling me about the service they provide and the project they have in mind to make their building fit for the needs upon it.

So, I’m running to raise funds for them. The branch opened in 1967, and from its Lime Hill Road base it covers a substantial area of the south east, stretching from Burwash to Sevenoaks, and from Cranbrook to East Grinstead.

Today its 120 volunteers (there are no paid staff) offer confidential, emotional support by telephone, email and face to face. Contacts increased last year by 5% to over 48,000, (that’s 11 every two hours, every day).

To support those experiencing distress, crisis or despair, Samaritans are available any time, day or night on any day of the year. Callers can talk for as long as they need, they are not judged or told what to do.

Samaritans also aim to increase public awareness of issues concerning suicide and depression, and the Tunbridge Wells branch has an active programme running workshops in local schools. It is also involved with the service operated by Maidstone branch to support inmates at the local prison, Blantyre House and East Sutton Park.

In 2008, in addition to continuing to provide its service at an approximate cost of £70 per day, the branch hopes to carry out some refurbishment works at its premises to modernise the operating space,  and create a meeting room.

You do not have to be suicidal to call Samaritans – just in need of a sympathetic, listening ear. Tel: 08457 909090 or visit www.samaritans.org

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. Justgiving.com do receive approximately 10% of your donation to cover the costs of providing this service, but it is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: there is less administrative work for the Samaritans volunteers who would otherwise be dealing with cash and cheques arriving from different sources.  Samaritans will also receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at NO cost to you. So please sponsor me now!

Many, many thanks for your support.

James

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