MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
18 July 2011
Help to reduce the number of suicides in NZ – support Samaritans
Volunteer to support Samaritans of Wellington during its Annual Appeal and help to reduce the number of suicides in New
Zealand.
Samaritans is calling for volunteers around Wellington to lend a hand on Friday 19 August and Saturday 20 August 2011,
when it hits the streets and supermarkets to collect donations to support its essential work.
To be part of this year’s Annual Appeal collection team please call (04) 472 3676 or email marketing@samaritans.org.nz
Volunteers will be required to give up a couple of hours of their time to collect donations at convenient locations in
and around Wellington.
Samaritans provides confidential and non-judgemental emotional support 24 hours day, 7 days a week through their
telephone helpline for people who are lonely, emotionally distressed or suicidal. Samaritans listen, they don’t judge or
give advice. They help to talk through options. That may not sound much - but it can make the difference between life
and death.
“To help those in need in our community, it’s more vital than ever that people get behind our Annual Appeal – more
people die by suicide than on our roads every year,” says Bruce Wall, Chairman of Samaritans of Wellington.
“With volunteer support we can continue to make great progress towards our vision – for a society where fewer people
take their own lives by suicide. “
As a charitable, non-government organisation, Samaritans is reliant on the generous support of everyday New Zealanders.
Donations from this year’s Appeal will be used to help fund this essential service for those who need someone to talk to
in times of crisis. Samaritans of Wellington receives no government funding.
Samaritans has also been helping out those in Christchurch. Samaritans extended its 0800 number coverage to help those
in need of a listening ear after the devastating earthquakes. This extension is still in place and the number to call is
0800 726 666.
Donations can also be made online at www.samaritans.org.nz
ENDS