Plymouth Samaritans celebrated their 50th anniversary meeting on in July at the Copthorne Hotel Plymouth.
The annual meeting welcomed Felicity Varah Harding OBE, the daughter of Samaritans founder Chad Varah, as guest speaker. She also unveiled a plaque to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the branch.
Felicity, who is the honorary president of the Samaritans, has close links with Plymouth: her husband’s family owned Charles Harding Furnishers of Mutley Plain.
Felicity also presented long service awards to branch volunteers some of whom have worked as Samaritans for 40 years or more.
Plymouth Samaritans director Norman Holmes said:
“We are delighted to have been able to invite Felicity to celebrate our 50th anniversary and to honour our long serving members. We have a range of events and activities planned for this year to mark this significant milestone including an Anniversary Ball on November 12.
“We will continue to reach out to our local community to raise awareness about suicide prevention, emotional health and well-being and listening skills.”
Supporters of Plymouth Samaritans are invited to attend the 50th Anniversary Ball which will be held at the New Continental Hotel to cap off the 50th anniversary celebrations and to raise much needed funds for the branch.
Tickets for the ball are £55 per head and can be obtained from Mrs Jan Sherriff at janetasherriff@btinternet.com
