The charity has secured a new partnership with Scotmid Co-operative
A charity is set to benefit from a new partnership with a large company.
Scotmid Co-operative and Samaritans have announced the beginning of the year-long partnership, which aims to raise £300,000, as well as recruit local volunteers and raise vital awareness for the charity.
Funds raised through the partnership will help communities by ensuring the charity’s 42 branches across the country can keep their doors open and respond to appeals for help.
Scotmid is Scotland’s largest independent co-operative and includes brands Semichem, Lakes & Dales Co-operative and Scotmid Co-operative Funeral Directors, who will all be involved in the fundraising.
John Brodie, chief executive of Scotmid Co-operative, said: “During this year-long charity partnership, one of our aims is to help educate our customers and members about Samaritans and the fact that it is okay to talk about your problems. Removing the stigma associated with talking about personal issues is one of the goals of this charity partnership and hopefully we can help to make a difference to the lives of our customers, members and staff.”
Ruth Sutherland, Samaritans chief executive, said: “Life can be tough and it can be all too easy to feel alone in the world with nowhere to turn. Our volunteers are there to listen 24 hours a day and we’re extremely grateful for Scotmid’s support. Funds raised through the partnership will help us to continue saving lives. We look forward to working together over the months ahead.”
Vital support in time of need
Steven Fegan, 33 of Kilmarnock, found the support he received from Samaritans invaluable. He believes big life events played a part in his gradual downward spiral.
Steven said: “I was struck down by a virus when I was 16 and it left my back and leg muscles so weak I needed to use a wheelchair.
“I don’t think I dealt with how I was feeling at the time and the feelings came back to trouble me more recently when my best friend took his own life. You have these feelings of guilt that you should have seen something or realised your friend was hurting.”
“I would wake every day feeling weak, and being a man, you’re supposed to be strong and I just felt like I was stressing my family out unnecessarily.
“I could hardly say anything at first, but the volunteer was brilliant, and there was no pressure on me to speak. Just by being on the phone, it stopped me from doing anything else."
