Samaritans is aiming to break the stigma around suicide and mental health by encouraging people to believe in tomorrow as it is unveiled as as the 2024 TCS London Marathon Charity of the Year
Samaritans, the UK and Ireland’s largest suicide prevention charity, is aiming to break the stigma around suicide and mental health by encouraging people to believe in tomorrow as it is unveiled as the 2024 TCS London Marathon Charity of the Year.
As the nation grapples with the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis following on from pandemic lockdowns and continued change, demand for the service continues and so does the need to keep the helpline open 24/7 for anyone who needs help. Samaritans is the only suicide prevention charity working across the UK and Ireland offering 24/7 support and last year, 23,000 people volunteered for the charity. Samaritans volunteers spent almost one million hours answering calls for help by phone, email, online chat and letters, providing a non-judgmental listening ear when people most need it.
Samaritans CEO Julie Bentley says: “The TCS London Marathon is almost a metaphor for life, a journey of highs, with important milestones along the way, but also moments of struggle when a bit of help is needed. So, after 70 years of supporting people as they face their own challenges, Samaritans is delighted to be chosen as the 2024 TCS London Marathon Charity of the Year, for the world’s most iconic marathon.
“Samaritans services are always busy, and we also need support to help fund our life-saving work. Every step taken and pound raised will help us be there for more people, from all backgrounds and walks of life, who are struggling to cope. With you by our side, we can recruit and train volunteers from a diverse range of communities across the UK and Ireland meaning, we can reach more people, answer more calls for help and, ultimately, save lives.
“So I’m urging everyone to get behind #TeamSamaritans at the 2024 TCS London Marathon and together we can really believe in tomorrow.”
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the TCS London Marathon said: “We’re delighted to welcome Samaritans as our official Charity of the Year for the 2024 TCS London Marathon. The work Samaritans does to support the most vulnerable and lonely in our society is essential. We wish Team Samaritans all the very best in their efforts to raise crucial funds to help reach those who need their support the most and to save many more lives.”
The charity is hoping participants in the 2024 TCS London Marathon will join them and help raise £1.7 million, so more volunteers can support people to believe that a better tomorrow is possible. Hundreds of Samaritans volunteers from over 200 branches will be cheering participants on in London on Marathon Day, and out in their local communities turning town centres Samaritans green, supporting people who are running, walking or jogging in the Virtual 2024 TCS London Marathon.
Laura, who ran for the charity and was part of Team Samaritans in 2022 wanted to support Samaritans as a way to thank one of the charity’s volunteers who saved her life. She said: “Samaritans saved my life. When I was struggling with my mental health a few years ago, I felt alone and unable to carry on with life. I felt like I was a burden and that there was no way back for me until one late night I plucked up the courage and called Samaritans’ helpline.
“A conversation with a Samaritan brought me back from a very dark place - without that call there is a high chance that I wouldn't be here today. Running the TCS London Marathon was a little way for me to pay back the support that Samaritans gave to me when I needed someone the most.”
To get involved and show you believe in tomorrow, sign up to run the TCS London Marathon for Samaritans at https://www.samaritans.org/tcs-london-marathon-2024/.
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Notes to editors
For more information or interview requests, please contact Samaritans Press Office at [email protected] / 020 8394 8300
Samaritans partnership video, sees different people who have been supported by Samaritans volunteers share their stories in support of the charity, from losing loved ones to those who have experienced difficult times in life.
Participants will take to the streets of London and across the nation for the 2024 TCS London Marathon on Sunday 21 April. To get involved and show you believe in tomorrow and find out more about the Charity Partner of the Year partnership, visit https://www.samaritans.org/tcs-london-marathon-2024/
About Samaritans
- Anyone can contact Samaritans FREE any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. Or you can visit www.samaritans.org
- Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help.
- Samaritans is a charity and it’s the public’s kind donations and 23,000 volunteers that mean we are always there for anyone struggling to cope. Find out how you can support us or volunteer with us.
- You can follow Samaritans on social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About London Marathon Events
- The 2024 TCS London Marathon will take place on Sunday 21 April 2024.
- The London Marathon was first held on 29 March 1981 and the millionth finisher in the history of the event crossed the line in 2016.
- The 2024 TCS London Marathon Official Charity of the Year is Samaritans
- Since the first London Marathon in 1981, the event has raised more than £1 billion for charity.
- London Marathon Events gifts its surplus each year to The London Marathon Foundation.
- Since 1981, The London Marathon Foundation has awarded grants totaling in excess of £100 million to more than 1,500 projects in London and across the UK.
- London Marathon Foundation is the operating name of The London Marathon Charitable Trust, the parent charity of London Marathon Events.
For more information, visit tcslondonmarathon.com