24:7 - David's Way Round

My name is David Exley. For the past three years I have been a volunteer with Samaritans. I have two very specific reasons for being a Samaritans volunteer. 24 years ago my younger brother Tim, at the age of 32, took his own life on Christmas Day. Four years ago my only son James tragically ended his own life. He was 34 years old. It feels as though lightening has struck the family twice. I cannot help wondering that if either James or Tim had contacted Samaritans they may be alive today.

My challenge

I was made redundant from a 35 year career in banking in 2005. At that time one item on my “bucket list” was to learn to ride a motorbike. I am now 64 years old and both ride and tour on my bike regularly.

For Samaritans' Annual Awareness Day, 24:7, and in memory of Tim and James, this summer I rode a motorbike over 6,000 miles across the UK and Republic of Ireland. I visited all 201 branches of Samaritans during my 7-week whistle-stop tour, aiming to raise awareness of the charity’s invaluable service and generate some much needed funds for them.