Pendle Samaritans reach out to fans as official match ball sponsor of Burnley Football Club
Branch director Victoria with 'Man of the Match' Ben Mee, and Vice Chairman Barry Kilby
As the official match sponsor of the Burnley F.C. vs Cardiff City football game at Turf Moor on Saturday 13 April (which ended in a 2-0 win!), volunteers from the Pendle, Burnley, Craven & Rossendale branch were invited along to join the fun.
With a crowd of over 21,000 people, the match provided the perfect platform for Samaritans to promote awareness of our activities to a key target audience. Both football teams lent their support by donning and signing Samaritans t-shirts, but the real stars, as ever, were the volunteers.
STRIKE -r pose...
"Who are ya?! Who are ya?! Who are ya?!"
As fans milled around before and after the match, 20 chatty volunteers were positioned at key points to engage with supporters.
Samaritans Branch Director, Victoria, also made her way into the media suite and managed to get shout-outs for Samaritans from local radio station, 2BR, and a cheeky mention from national radio station, Radio 5 Live.
Buzzin'! - Burtie Bee and David have an unBEElievable time at the Turf Moor grounds
Hart of glass - Joe Hart signs for fans
Like father, like son - James and Jim jump for joy
Dale, June, and Carole - front, left and centre
The relationship between Burnley F.C. and Pendle Samaritans started in 2015, with an awareness day held to celebrate the release of a pitch banner promoting the 116 123 freephone number. Since then, Pendle Samaritans has returned to the Turf Moor grounds each year to continue to reach out to struggling fans.
This year saw the release of a short video involving Clarets players and manager Sean Dyche supporting the work of Samaritans, and reminding fans and non-fans alike, that it's good to talk.
Claret and Blue, through and through!
Under the gazebo: Alan, Christina, Victoria, Fran, June, Jean, and Dale
Alan and Victoria take pride of place at centre pitch
The branch was also welcomed along to Burnley F.C.’s previous match vs. the Wolves, where Victoria and event coordinator, Alan Ingham, were invited onto centre pitch for a quick photograph before kick-off.
Event coordinator and Pendle branch volunteer Alan added:
I would like to say a big thank you to all volunteers who attended our awareness events over the last few years, including those helping out behind the scenes providing much needed support for our volunteers at the grounds.