Sponsor a Helpline - Samaritans
Christmas is not a happy time for everyone.
For those who are experiencing feelings of isolation, panic, stress or depression, the jollity of the festive period and the traditional Christmas images projected to society of people enjoying themselves with friends and family, can exacerbate their feelings of emotional distress.
Evidence also shows that around Christmas and the New Year suicide rates increase, and last year alone, 220,000 people contacted Samaritans for emotional support during that time alone.
One in ten people in the UK live alone, but even those who are surrounded by family and friends can be vulnerable to feelings of isolation and despair. Increased expectations of feeling happy when surrounded by family and friends can lead to disappointment and a sense of anti-climax if this doesn't ring true.
All 582 Samaritans help lines will be in almost constant use from people in need of emotional support during this time of the year.
Would you consider being there for people who are in desperate need and have no one to turn to?
DONATION MINIMUM - £5 PER MONTH
£5 per month would sponsor a help line for 48 hours over the festive period.
In a year, your monthly donation will pay for 31 calls for help to be answered on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, a time when people can feel most vulnerable, isolated and alone.
£10 per month would sponsor the operation of our email helpline to provide 24 hours of emotional support on Christmas Day.
In a year, your annual equivalent donation of £120 could pay for 24 hours of continual emotional support to be offered by email to those in desperate need on Christmas Day.
£35 per month would sponsor the entire running costs for 4 branches to provide 24 hours support for people in need over the festive period.
People in need of emotional support can contact Samaritans in many ways such as by phone, email, SMS, face to face or by letter. By sponsoring 4 branches you are enabling them to be there so that people can access the service in a way that they feel most comfortable with.
In Return
At Samaritans we want to make sure that we spend your money where it is needed most. As a result we will not be inundating you with promotional material and goodies to prove where your money has gone, but instead will send you, just twice a year, a supporter newsletter giving you information about how we are working in the community and how your donations are making a difference to the millions of people who use our service.
In return for your donations you will be able to enjoy the festive period with friends and loved ones, with the satisfaction that you have helped someone less fortunate than you who may not have a support network around them and who is in desperate need.
Your sponsorship will help us touch countless lives - Thank you.
This sponsorship opportunity can be given as a gift.
