‘BELIEVE IN TOMORROW’ SAYS SAMARITANS AS CHARITY BECOMES 2024 TCS LONDON MARATHON OFFICIAL 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 www.samaritans.org/tcs-london-marathon-2024
Any Running Industry Alliance Members wanting to find out more about sponsorship, participation and promotional opportunities should email Sarah Ball, Head of Community & Events at marathon.events@samaritans.org
Check out the Samaritans RIA Foundation Member profile here .