Walking Out of Darkness

Hi,

I’m taking on the Samaritans Walk 50 miles with your dog in November challenge to help prevent suicide through the power of human connection.

I wanted to share a little bit about me and the great work the Samaritans are doing with their lifesaving work.

My 50-Mile Pledge for Samaritans

Every single one of us knows what it is to feel the full spectrum of human emotion: the thrill of excitement, the deep warmth of pride, but also the crushing weight of sadness, loneliness, and feeling utterly isolated from the people we love.

At times, life can deliver a punch that leaves us questioning everything, whispering a desperate "why?" into the void.

The Reason I Walk:

I’m sharing a difficult truth with you today, one that only a couple of people in my life have known until now. Over the years, I have walked that dark path. I know what it’s like to have those terrifying, fleeting thoughts—wishing a car would simply drift off the road so the pain would finally stop. I know the sickening sound of my heart pounding so hard from anguish that I genuinely wished for a heart attack, just to escape the mental torment. I tried to mask it with excessive drinking, thinking whiskey would make it all okay.

It never did. All I was doing was hurting the people around me and myself.

Thankfully, I was not alone. I had my wife alongside me, my family, and a couple of friends who stood by me and helped me find the professional help I needed to get through those dark years.

But the crushing truth is, not everyone is that lucky.

So many people are too proud, too scared, or too isolated to share their feelings and seek help. For them, there is a lifeline.

A Step to Help the Unseen:

When I saw the opportunity to walk 50 miles in November with Monty our dog, to give something back to an organisation working tirelessly on the front line of 'Suicide Prevention', I knew I couldn't ignore it.

That organisation is The Samaritans. They are there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the person who feels they have nowhere else to turn. They are the voice of compassion for those in absolute despair.

Will You Walk With Me?

This challenge is about more than just logging miles; it’s about making sure that voice & support is always there.

The Samaritans' focus for this event is clear: to ensure fewer lives are lost to suicide and to provide emotional support to anyone in distress.

I am walking 50 miles this month because I know what it is to need that help. Please, would you consider being kind enough to donate something?

Even just £1 can help fund the moment that changes a life.

Thank you 💚x

A Ditto on 'The Samaritans'

The Samaritans is the charity that prevents suicide through the power of human connection. Connecting people in crisis with trained volunteers who will always listen. People calling for change with those who need to listen. People who’ve been there before, with those struggling now.

We unite to raise awareness of people’s experiences, create partnerships and campaign for suicide prevention. Together, we make suicide prevention a priority and reach people before it’s too late.

In every community, including yours, every Hour. every Day. every Life.

If you believe the power of human connection can prevent suicide, join us.

Let’s prevent suicide today. Because tomorrow’s too late.