JLS keep fans on their toes as they fight for Samaritans’ Soccer Six victory

Date: Sunday 24th May 2009                        

Contact: Claire Duncan                                 

Phone: +44 (0)783 453 0307                                   

Email: c.duncan@samaritans.org

Out of hours press phone: +44 (0)7943 809162      

 

Winning men's team at Soccer Six 2009
 

Anticipated winners JLS were knocked out in the quarter-finals of Samaritans’ Soccer Six football tournament today at Chelsea FC, much to the disappointment of crowds of fans.  Also hotly tipped for the title were stars of hit TV show The Inbetweeners who crashed out in the semi-final. Instead, it was the Babyshambles team who were crowned champions after a 3-1 win against presenters of football programme Soccer AM, despite the absence of front man Pete Doherty.

Samaritans is Soccer Six’s charity of the year for the fifth year running and proceeds from ticket sales and celebrity donations will be given to the emotional support charity to ensure that Samaritans’ service remains available 24 hours a day to support anyone in emotional distress.

X-Factor finalists JLS showed their support for Samaritans and creating awareness of the service amongst young people. ‘JB’ from the band said: “It is important to be here today to help raise funds for Samaritans because there are always people in need 24- hours a day. It’s a great cause and we’re honored to be involved.”

JLS at Samaritans Soccer Six 2009

 

Band-mate Ortise added: “Because sometimes a service like Samaritans can be forgotten about, an event like Soccer Six is really great for raising awareness.”

Lead singer Aston continued: “Sometimes it can be difficult for people to get help but it is important to try and talk to someone you feel comfortable with. Although, it is not always easy to reach out to someone or to find someone that is willing to listen which is when it helps to know Samaritans is there.”

 

Stars from TV show The Inbetweeners at Soccer Six 2009

 

Celebrities who participated in the charity event today included actor Nick Moran, Steve Norman from 80s band Spandau Ballet, and the cast of top-rated TV show Waterloo Road. Band members from music groups The View, Babyshambles, and NDUBZ were also competing for victory.  Other celebrities who took time-out from their busy schedules to support Samaritans were Danny Dyer, X Factor finalist Austin Drage , models Charlotte Mears and Nicola McLean, former Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton and stars from hit TV shows Skins, Shameless, and Hollyoaks. Omid Djalili, Russell Howard, Milton Jones and Lee Mack brought comedy value to the day.

 

Joe Calzaghe at Soccer Six 2009

Dominic Cooper at Soccer Six 2009

 

Samaritans’ Claire Duncan said: “Soccer Six has been a fantastic event for everyone involved. Around 150 celebrities and 4,000 members of the general public were supporting Samaritans at Stamford Bridge today which allowed us to raise awareness of the 24:7 emotional support service we offer.”

-ends-

Notes to editors

It is the aim of Samaritans to make emotional health a mainstream issue.  Samaritans' vision is for a society where fewer people die by suicide because people are able to share feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of being judged.  Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings.

Samaritans is a registered charity, founded in 1953, which offers 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress.  The service is offered by 16,800 trained volunteers and is entirely dependent on voluntary support.  Across the UK, you can call Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (1850 60 90 90 in the Republic of Ireland) email jo@samaritans.org, write to Samaritans at Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA, or if you are deaf or hard of hearing use the single national minicom number 08457 90 91 92. Log on to www.samaritans.org for more information. Calls from BT will be charged at up to 4 pence per minute at all times. A call set-up fee of 3 pence per minute applies to calls from residential lines. Mobile and other providers' charges may vary.