Samaritans Awareness Day comes to Kildare next week
Newbridge Samaritans will be at a venues in in Kildare this Friday including the Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge
NEWBRIDGE Samaritans is raising awareness of the free, emotional support they provide by holding a series of events around Kildare to mark Samaritans Awareness Day.
Samaritans Awareness Day takes place on Friday 24 July (24/7), marking the fact that Samaritans is there for anyone struggling to cope, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on freephone 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.ie.
The date is a deliberate acknowledgement of the round the clock nature of the service, which can be reached on freephone 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.ie, any time of day or night, free of charge.
Newbridge Samaritans will be at Whitewater Shopping Centre and Dunne’s Newbridge as well as Manor Mills, Maynooth on 24 July to raise awareness of the service in the local community. The group also hope to also be at Athy, Naas, Leixlip and Celbridge on the day but this is to be confirmed.
Heidi Shanahan, branch director with Newbridge Samaritans, said: "Samaritans Awareness Day gives us an important opportunity to remind people that Samaritans are here 24 hours a day for anyone in crisis or struggling to cope, on freephone 116 123.
"It remains a challenging time for many people, and we want everyone to know they are not alone. Our volunteers are here at any time of day or night, whatever someone is facing. Our branch answers approximately 80 calls per day.”
Samaritans’ vision is that fewer people die by suicide and it prevents suicide through the power of human connection.
To mark the day and help raise funds for Samaritans across Ireland, supporters are also being invited to choose from four challenge categories – gamers, swimmers, crafters and supporters for Samaritans – and make the challenge their own.
Participants don't need to go all in for a full 24 hours; they can spread their challenge over a few days. For details and to register, visit www.samaritans.ie/24hours.
Funds raised will support Samaritans branches across Ireland and Northern Ireland, including Newbridge Samaritans.
