Many people find it hard to speak openly or ask for help, but talking can be life-saving – whether it’s with a colleague, a family member, friend or a helpline like Samaritans.

Every 10 seconds, Samaritans volunteers respond to a call for help. Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to listen and support people with whatever they are facing, with no judgement. It’s the public’s kind donations and around 23,000 volunteers that mean Samaritans are always there for anyone struggling to cope.

The Manchester and Salford branch of the Samaritans was founded in 1962 and volunteers come from Manchester, Salford and the surrounding areas. Nearly 200 volunteers answer more than 120 callers every day, from the branch in Oxford Road, Manchester.

To support these amazing volunteers, the live-saving work and outreach they are doing, I'm running the Great Manchester Run 2024 half-marathon.

If you are able, please consider donating - anything you can give will help them to support more volunteers, more community projects, and more lives!