A message from Penny Junor

Every year more than 6,000 people take their own live in the UK and Republic of Ireland.  Many of them are young, but whatever age, each of those deaths is a tragedy affecting friends, family and damaging lives.

People who contact Samaritans come from all walks of life - some have been temporarily knocked off their course and others may have always experienced difficulties. 

Often when you hear their story you wonder how they've managed to keep going. 

The fear is that one day they will feel they can't do it any longer and we may not be there to support them.

As a Samaritan volunteer myself, I know there is nothing more gratifying than being able to help someone look at their situation anew and decide to carry on living.

Samaritans has more than 18,000 trained listening volunteers that handle around 5 million contacts a year by phone, text, email, letter or face to face over a cup of coffee.

The vital support they offer is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Samaritans' service costs £10 million a year to run and we rely almost entirely, on donations from people like you.  Through your generosity we can ensure that there is always a caring, friendly voice at the end of the phone for those who need it - a voice that could mean the difference between life and death for someone who can no longer see a way forward.

If you are considering leaving a gift to Samaritans in your Will, in my view, there can be nothing more valuable than helping to save lives.

Thank you, in anticipation of your support.

Penny Junor
Writer, Broadcaster and Samaritans volunteer

More information:

How you can make or amend your Will

How to leave a gift to Samaritans in your Will

Contact information to find out more