Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council marks 50 years of the Samaritans
Thu, December 10, 2020
The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has made a special presentation to mark the 50th anniversary of the Coleraine & District Samaritans branch.
Alderman Mark Fielding met with representatives from the charity at Cloonavin where he handed over a special edition framed Coat of Arms to mark their service within the community.
The event took place on Tuesday 1st December 2020, coinciding with the launch of the Samaritans Christmas campaign.
Reflecting on 50 years of the Samaritans in the local area, the Mayor said: “I want to express my sincere thanks to all the volunteers who have served the charity through the years, providing a listening ear to the vulnerable and giving hope and reassurance to those in distress.
“By devoting their time and skills, they have helped countless people and been there when it mattered the most. For this we should all be very grateful and my presentation is a symbol of our collective thanks for their role within our community.”
“As a further expression of our gratitude and as a reminder about the Samaritans services, Cloonavin will be illuminated in green light again on December 21st. If you’re experiencing emotional distress, the Samaritans are there for you, 24 hours day, including Christmas Day. Please reach out to them if you need help.”
Last year volunteers in Northern Ireland answered over 11,000 calls for help over the festive period. While Christmas may be a happy time for many, it can be quite challenging for others, especially given the ongoing restrictions with Covid-19 and the impact of loneliness, bereavement, relationship and family problems, depression, abuse and drug and alcohol misuse.
Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week, freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. You can find out more by going to www.samaritans.org.
