Volunteer stops off at Samaritans branch in Bognor Regis on epic 6,100 mile walk

The Bognor Regis, Chichester & District Samaritans were delighted to welcome David Matthews MBE to the branch during his Listening Walk.

The Listening Walk is an incredible fundraising journey undertaken by David, a listening volunteer with Samaritans. His goal is to visit every Samaritans branch across the UK and Ireland to raise awareness and funds for the charity, showing support for its callers and the many volunteers who work tirelessly to help ensure that fewer people die by suicide.

There are more than 200 branches, and David will walk 6,100 miles to reach them all.

This is the second time David has taken on the challenge for Samaritans. He completed his first Listening Walk in 2021, raising nearly £30,000.

In 2025, he was awarded an MBE in recognition of his dedication and service to the charity.

Believing there was still more to be done to raise awareness of Samaritans, David began his second walk in September 2025.

The Bognor Regis, Chichester & District branch is the 80th branch David visited during his travels.

He set off for Bognor after visiting the Worthing branch the previous day, walking along the south coast before arriving in the late afternoon.

During the visit, the branch’s volunteers showed David around the branch and spoke with him about his mission and the motivation behind undertaking the walk for a second time. He explained that he believes there is still a significant need to raise awareness of the suicide prevention charity and its listening service, which provides 24/7 supportive listening for anyone going through a difficult time.

The volunteers also spoke with David about how the walk has gone so far. He described his trek across Sussex and shared some of the conversations he has had with people he met along the way, highlighting the strong support he has received from members of the public. The volunteers also discussed their shared goal of supporting callers and how valuable a simple conversation can be.

While visiting the branch, David said: “It’s been a great visit to the Bognor Regis, Chichester & District branch. It’s nice to get the chance to meet fellow volunteers. We’re the same across the network, whether it’s England, Scotland, Ireland or Wales: we’re all there for the callers, and it’s nice to immerse yourself in that. It’s been a lovely welcome.”

David Longmore, vice director at Bognor Regis, Chichester & District Samaritans and one of the volunteers who greeted David, said: “It was really great to meet David today and to welcome him to Bognor Regis, Chichester & District Branch. A number of volunteers were on hand to hear about his encounters on his extraordinary walking journey and to share with him a well-deserved cuppa and biscuits. Congratulations to David on his project and best wishes for the rest of his tour.”

More information about David’s Listening Walk can be found at thelisteningwalk.com. The website also links to David’s social media accounts, where supporters can follow his progress and donate to his fundraising effort. By the end of his second walk, he will have covered an extraordinary total of more than 12,000 miles.

For more information about the work of Bognor Regis, Chichester & District Samaritans within the local community, visit: https://www.samaritans.org/branches/bognor-regis/

Anyone can call Samaritans free of charge at any time of day or night on 116 123, even from a mobile without credit. More information about other ways to get support is available at www.samaritans.org.