"I joined Samaritans in 1977, the year of Queen Elizabeth’s first Jubilee, and it feels incredible that 48 years have passed. Now, with a new King graciously bestowing such honours, I find myself still here. I had started teaching a few years earlier and felt I had the basics under my belt. I wanted to do some charitable work that involved direct human connection, rather than simply raising money for good causes. With relatives already involved in Samaritans, it felt like a natural path.
"Much has changed - and yet, in many ways, nothing has. The core principle remains: to be there for people who need someone to talk to. And we do it well. That “we” is inclusive of everyone in the Samaritans family, including all those who have worked tirelessly in the past to keep the movement going and growing. I truly feel this recognition is for all of us.
"I’ve always preferred to stay in the background, but on this occasion, I’m steeling myself for the spotlight - because, as someone recently said to me, I’m ‘taking one for the team’.