School’s generous donation leaves surprised Samaritans speechless

Sue Jago, Director of the local Samaritans branch said: “This is beyond our wildest dreams and quite literally left us speechless with surprise when the amount was announced at the presentation assembly we attended.

“These donations are essential for us to keep our branch open and keep supporting our callers. As a local branch we have to finance everything from our work with outside agencies such as Network Rail, our recruitment and training through to the mundane such as utility bills and maintenance.”

Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 students took part in the fund raising and in total raised over £12,000 to be shared between the four charities they chose: SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity based at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton, Samaritans of Horsham & Crawley and Kangaroos Charity for Young Disabled People.

The funds were raised throughout the year and activities included a sponsored paraglide, swimathon, a 12 hour football match, selling home made photographic cards, even a walk around the school field in boots full of baked beans! One student recorded an official single and all sales from iTunes were donated.

Samaritans provide confidential and non-judgemental emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that may lead to suicide. Their mission is to reduce the number of deaths by suicide.

To contact them: phone 01403 276 276 / 01293 51 51 51 / 08457 90 90 90; text 07725 90 90 90; email [email protected]

Report and picture contributed by Samaritans of Horsham & Crawley.