Chad Varah Book of Condolence Page 2

 

 

Chad Varah with the original Samaritans telephone

 

Book of Condolence - page 1

The Life and Work of Chad Varah

Contribute to the ongoing work of Samaritans in memory of Chad Varah

Your messages (page 2)

 

 I am a former director of befrienders of Penang, Malaysia. just to offer my deepest sympathies on the recent demise of Chad Varah. I had met him a few times while I was the director of befrienders in the 80's. May his soul rest in peace. I am now presently working in the Philippines.

Peter Foo

 

My deepest sympathies go to the Varah family and his, I’m sure, many friends. I’m a new Sam, and am finding the work rewarding and worthwhile. In the few months I’ve been working as a volunteer, I have lost count of the number of times callers have said ‘thank you so much for listening’. How wonderful that Chad thought of a concept so simple yet so meaningful. Bless him and his life.

June Palk, South Devon branch, Torquay

 

A number of years ago a very close friend of mine was arrested and eventually sent to prison. What he did is unimportant. What it did to me is - I was devastated, particularly as at the time he was arrested I was away from home and had nobody around me I could talk to about what was happening. I phoned Samaritans and for a good hour I blurted out what had been happening and how angry at my friend I was, how scared for him I was and my utter confusion and disbelief about what had happened. I still remember the voice at the end of the phone. Although they showed concern for my friend, the Samaritan took the time to ask just how I was and offered to call me back a few hours later.

It felt so good to just talk about this at the time and it made such a difference. I was able to go back to my day, back to a room full of people I didn't know and could not talk to. I was stronger and felt better able to cope.

So, to all the Volunteers out there and to Chad Varah I say a big thank-you. I may not have been suicidal, but you helped me. I will never forget.

Thank-you.

Rob

 

We are very sad to hear about the demise of our great founder Chad Varah. We are very grateful to him for his vision and mission and also we are very proud to say that we are part of his great work. As members of Befrienders world wide we will continue to spread the work which he began and bring hope to the unhappy and desolate.

Hema, Branch Chairperson, Sri Lanka Sumithrayo Mawanella.

(On behalf of all the volunteers of S.L.S. Mawanella.)

 

Chad was a remarkable man whose dedication to the work of caring for and supporting people has shaped my life for over 25 years. His work will continue as a tribute to an amazing man who led a band of ordinary people along an extraordinary path and has changed the lives of volunteers and callers all over the world. I hope that Chad’s own family can take some comfort from the fact that Chad will never be forgotten.

Trudie (Samaritan volunteer)

 

Deepest sympathy to Dr Varah's family and friends. Chad proved that one person CAN make a difference and what a difference he has and will continue to make for a long time to come.

Gina, Kilkenny/Carlow Samaritans

 

Chad changed my life and hopefully enabled me through careful training to at least try and make a difference to people who need our services.

K Hancocks

 

Whilst lots of us have ideas more often than not we don't see them through but Chad Varah certainly did and changed many people's lives. Condolences to Chad Varah's family and friends and to the Samaritan movement.

V Hanson

 

As an ex Director and Reg Prison Support Officer I know Chad & Samaritans changed my life for the better I loved it. God Bless you Chad for the vision long may the movement continue.

Angela, ex Wigan & Northwich

 

May it help in your time of sadness to know that the Samaritans in Hong Kong are thinking of you and share your sorrow. With Deepest Sympathy.

Liz Chamberlain and all the Volunteers and staff at the Chai Wan Branch in Hong Kong

 

It's going to feel strange - moving on knowing that Chad is no longer there. He has, though, given so many of us the inspiration to do what we do, that a part of him will remain forever with us. Perhaps that is what he meant by re-incarnation.

H Maxted

 

I have been a Samaritan volunteer for 17 years and feel proud to be a member of the organisation that Chad started over 50 years ago. My branch in Bristol has been going for over 40 years and the first volunteer remains an active Sam today. Chad must have been a very special person to start the organisation that offers so much emotional support to people all around the world, especially with a very active email service. Thank you Chad, may you rest peacefully.

Sue

 

Chad varah was a great man whose legacy is immeasurable.

Brenda Fisher

 

I first Joined Samaritans in 1976 and then after a break of some 18 years re-joined because I knew that there were people out there who needed a listening ear when they were feeling lonely, desperate or suicidal.

I had the privilege to meet Chad at a York conference in 1978 and was impressed with his address at the Conference his values, his caring and his understanding which led him to instigate The Samaritans came through then and never wavered.

A truly sincere and generous of spirit man and a great inspiration to us all especailly to Samaritans. A great miss but his legacy will live on and many people will be able to find a new purpose to their lives and know that they will get a listening ear at the end of the phone, or now E mail and in some Branches by texting.

He will be greatly missed but he lives on as long as there is a Samaritan service.

Doris

 

Deepest condolences to Chad Varah’s family and all touched by his life.

Chad was an amazing and inspiring man. I was privileged to meet him when I arranged for him to speak at the National Nightline Conference in Bath in December 1990, and delighted that he remembered the occasion fondly, referring to it in his autobiography.

I will always remember him and the ideals for which he stood.

Conrad, ex Bath Nightline

 

An incredible man who quietly created an incredible organisation of which I am proud to be part His spirit lives on in all who continue his work.

Sue, Orkney

 

To all of us, Chad Varah is the name associated with Sumithrayo Synonymous with the Samaritans of UK. This great Leader is no more but, the legacy he has given us is paranial The Incredible Power of Listening.

History has recorded that how in 1953, Chad Varah, the Founder of The Samaritans Movement was called to officiate at the funeral of a young girl who had taken her life , mistaking the onset of menstruation as a symptom of V.D. Chad Varah then realised that this poor girl had no had no one to talk to , a realisation that brought with it a tremendous impact, and so today we have our movement in all the corners of the world, such is the power of listening.

We humbly salute you and give you thanks.

‘If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead either write things worth reading or do things worth writing’

-Benjamin Franklin-

From Sri Lanka Sumithrayo (Colombo)

 

Because of your insight and caring in starting Samaritans I feel privileged to share a small part of helping others cope with the day to day stresses of life. Condolences to his family.

Sally, Exeter

 

In a world where it is so easy to doubt the impact any individual can have Chad Varah dared to make a vision real and inspired thousands of others to make a difference too, 24:7. As I was on shift last night, listening as best I could, I knew I was standing on his shoulders.

Chris, Stockport

 

As founder of portuguese samaritans I met listened and talked with Chad several times. He is one of the persons who are most meaningful in my life. I believe life does not ends only changes, so I am sure we will meet again. Thank you Chad.

Ana Maria Braga da Cruz

 

The Basingstoke Branch mourns the passsing of a great man who through his genius and dedication has helped so many. He has been and will continue to be an inspiration to many thousands of Samaritan volunteers

 

I have come to know with great sadness the demise of Chad Varah, whose work inspired me to start the Befrienders in Penang. His sincerity and dedication made a lasting impression on me. With a small group of volunteers we succeeded in launching the service on the 4th day of August, 1978. He visited Penang on several occasions to give his support and guidance; I thus came to know him well and in the course of time, valued his friendship immensely.

Chad Varah was a legend in his own lifetime. He may no longer be with us but his thoughts his humanity and his selfless work shall always remain a part of us.

With best regards,

Dato’ Seri Khoo Keat Siew, Advisor, Penang Befrienders, Malaysia

 

Chad Varah was inspired to found Samaritans may we be inspired to continue what he started.

H Burke

 

I was extremely sad to hear the news. Unlike many of the people who have felt compelled to contribute to this book of condolence - I have no personal connection to the wonderful organisation Chad set up. I can remember learning about the Samaritans at school and being overwhelmed at the notion of the need for such a helpline. This feeling was replaced by admiration and wonder for Mr Chad Varah. Perhaps more importantly, it taught me that one man's vision and drive can make a difference. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I was heartened to see the coverage in the press of this great man, this Great Briton.

A true hero.

Anon.

 

I never had the priviledge to meet Chad but he must have been a very special person who has helped to save so many lives around the world.

A Hollins

 

Condolences to the family and all who mourn Chad Varah's passing. He was a remarkable man, and he will continue to be an inspiration to the Volunteers and supporters of the wonderful organisation which he founded.

S Gardner

 

In gratitude for setting up a movement which has relieved the pain of so many people.

A Nicholl

 

It is with deep regret that I read about the sad loss of the founder of the Samaritans.

As a listening volunteer the service we offer is still as great as when Chad first started with his merry bunch of volunteers.

He was a great inspiration to all Samaritan Volunteers and he will be sadly missed by all who had the very great privilege to have met him.

God Bless.

Ian, Plymouth

 

Reflecting upon the wonderful work he did both inside and outside our organisation he will be sadly missed. May the good work of the Samaritan name continue for many years to come.

Alan, Stoke and Newcastle Samaritans

 

May you rest in peace.

Diane, Stoke & Newcastle Samaritans

 

Without Chad's amazing vision back in the early fifties, Samaritans would not still be here listening and providing that vital emotional support. While he may not have always agreed with everything Samaritans did, I hope he was proud that his ideas were taken and kept relevant to the 21st century. I am privileged to have had the opportunity to be a Samaritans volunteer.

Leo, Reading

 

Thank you. Your legacy lives Thank you.

Raja. Kent

 

The Falkirk & Central Scotland branch of Samaritans would like to offer condolences to the family of Chad. His vision in founding Samaritans is an inspiration to all of us and his legacy will live on. Rest In Peace.

 

I was born in 1953, the year in which Chad started The Samaritans. For some reason, that made it seem particularly appropriate when I eventually became a volunteer. For a quarter of a century now, being a Samaritan has been a central part of my life. Thank you, Chad, for everything.

Jenny

 

Durham branch would like to offer its sincere condolences to Dr Vasey's family and friends. We gratefully acknowledge his inspiration and his unique contribution to making our organisation what it is today.

 

Dearest Chad, you are very well missed and I will never forget those wonderful afternoons playing scrabble in your warm cosy drawing room. I will treasure those wonderful memories always and feel so privileged to have shared so many happy times, so many laughs and the occasional tear. You have been such a great inspiration and one of the best friends.

All my love and thought are with you…..

Your scrabble companion

Fleur Cooper, Director, Nastrovia

 

I intended sending my sincere sympathy on Chad's recent passing much sooner and apologise for the delay. He was a truly remarkable man in every sense of the word whose organisation is a wonderful legacy to humanity.

My thoughts go first and foremost to his family. The word empathy comes to mind when I remember Chad and it is something sadly missing in our modern world. I would regard Chad as a truly great man who instead of thinking about his fellow human beings problems or talking about them actually did something practical about solving them.

May his gentle and kind soul Rest In Peace and his spirit and vision be carried by The Samaritans well into the future.

With Fond Memories of Chad.

Sean Carey

 

On behalf of Great Yarmouth Samaritans, I would like to offer our sympathy and thoughts to Dr Varah's family. He was a truly humanitarian, extraordinary gentleman whose compassion, intuition and foresight has been instrumental in helping so many. Dr Chad Varah will be sadly missed. He was a great visionary, and his work lives on.

Billy, Director, Great Yarmouth Samaritans

 

A very special man who has left an incredible legacy. He has enabled so many ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

Mary, Regional Representative South West Region

 

On behalf of the Plymouth Samaritans I send our condolences at the sad news of the death of our founder.

Our volunteers are proud of the service he created to support those who needed someone to listen in their time of distress. We shall continue our work in his memory and hope sincerely that Samaritans will continue their emotional support for many years to come.

Jacky Booth (Director Plymouth Samaritans)

 

What, in my view, A.S.Neill (Summerhill), Sigmund Freud and Chad Varah had in common was the realization that sexual repression was at the root of a whole lot of preventable suffering. And that it was this that needed addressing, first and foremost.

I joined Samaritans at St Stephen’s Walbrook  in my mid twenties in the early sixties.

John 250, Mary 265 and Eric 332 briefed us on this and on that (mental illness; social issues, depression); ‘the Rector’ as we then called him briefed us on sex. He taught us the foulest of language and the whole vast range of sexual conduct.  He aimed to shock us all and in my case he succeeded amply, but I can only liken the experience to a breath of very fresh air! And it felt liberating and wonderful. In those days we were sternly informed (by 250) that there was no glamour but only privilege in being a Samaritan, that it was against the rules to tell people about our involvement in it, and after the Rector’s talk quite a few prospective volunteers quietly decided not to come back again. That was par for the course and a deliberate ploy to weed out not only the easily shockable but those with a propensity to evangelise rather than listen.

My eighteen years with Samaritans were about the richest in my life – OK night duties were excruciatingly long (before some of us campaigned to share the time and make them half nightly), and  OK  there were times when you seriously wondered if you had really managed to help the caller at all. But the jewel in the crown was the ‘befriending,’ the personal contact we were in those days encouraged to make with some of the clients.

Meanwhile John 250 manfully and superbly took on the mantel whilst Chad was busy as ever in the background, founding and expanding Befrienders Worldwide, helping and giving encouragement to many whilst also irritating and annoying others. Let’s face it, we’re all so conditioned by the polite society brigade…

Chad, you were a giant among men… and women… You inform us to this day.

I will remember you as long as I live.

Kate, London (672)