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Tunbridge Wells & District Samaritans
This year's keen, but inexperienced, team comprising both volunteers and supporters from the Tunbridge Wells and District branch of Samaritans, will be returning early from their training camp on the banks of the piranha-infested Amazon to take part - (we'll try anything after the performances of the last two years!!).
Why? Because we are taking part in the annual Funraisers Dragonboat Race at Bewl Water on Saturday 13th September to raise funds for Tunbridge Wells and District Samaritans, and we want to win!!
Our branch, an independent charity, was established in 1967 (The national charity was established over 50 years ago), and covers a large area stretching from Sevenoaks to Burwash and from Cranbrook to East Grinstead.
Today we have 114 volunteers (there are no paid staff) who offer confidential, emotional support by telephone, email and face to face. Contacts last year exceeded 47,000 (that's 11 every two hours, every day).
To support those experiencing distress, crises or dispair, 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 we have an active programme running workshops in local schools. We are also involved with the service operated by Maidstone branch to support inmates at the local prison and East Sutton Park.
This year, in addition to continuing to provide our service at an approximate cost of £70 per day, we hope to carry out some refurbishment works at our premises to improve facilities for our callers, visitors and volunteers.
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 Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. Justgiving.com do receive approximately 10% of your donation to cover the costs of providing this service, but is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: there is less administrative work for the Samaritans volunteers who would otherwise be dealing with cash and cheques arriving from different sources. Samaritans also gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
So please sponsor us now!
Change Someone's Life.......................your own. Volunteer for Samaritans today!
Telephone 08705 627282 or visit www.samaritans.org for details