Chad Varah
It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death
of our Founder, Dr Chad Varah, CH, CBE, MA Oxon., aged
95.
“My father always spoke
of Samaritans Volunteers as the most incredible group of people –
unsung heroes, whose commitment and dedication is the lifeblood of
the Organisation” – said the late Michael Varah, Chad’s eldest
son and Trustee of Samaritans. “They are my father’s
legacy”.
Chad Varah with the original
Samaritans telephone
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Felicity Varah, Chad’s
eldest child, comments: “Thanks to my father, Samaritans has
been working for over 50 years, providing confidential, emotional
support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or
despair, including those which may lead to suicide. His
relationship with Samaritans had many chapters, from the moment he
founded it in his beloved Church, St Stephen Walbrook in 1953,
through its expansion worldwide, to the latter years when he
stepped back to allow the movement to grow and
flourish”.
Chad retained a watchful eye
over Samaritans even after his retirement. As recently as Summer
2007, he had a particularly happy meeting with the Chief Executive,
Dominic Rudd, and Chairman hearing about all those people who
continue his original, enlightened and essential work – of active
listening - providing support to people living through emotionally
difficult times.
Steve Evans, Chair of
Samaritans, adds, “It was Chad’s inspiration and untiring
determination that created Samaritans. In 54 years, his
founding work has helped literally millions of people, throughout
the UK, the Republic of Ireland and around the world through
Befrienders Worldwide, a global extension of the supportive spirit
of Samaritans. It is our honour and determination to carry on
his extraordinary work in the way he would have liked.”
Dominic Rudd, Chief
Executive, Samaritans says: “Chad was quite simply an
extraordinary man, and his legacy is a strengthened Samaritans
which seeks to make emotional health part of everyday
conversation. We have some way to go before we achieve that,
but in the meantime, Samaritans believes that offering people the
opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without
prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.
Chad’s vision – of a society in which people are able to explore
their feelings without fear or prejudice, in turn respecting the
feelings of others – has touched millions of people in the 54 years
since we started to offer emotional support.”
The Life
and Work of Chad Varah
Read the Book of
Condolence
Contribute
to the ongoing work of Samaritans in memory of Chad
Varah
Information for journalists
Contact: Rebecca
SeedhouseTel: +44 (0)20 8394 8300
Out of hours press contact: +44 (0)7943 809 162 or +44 (0)7931 544
566
Email: r.seedhouse@samaritans.org
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full press release and download pictures