Rochdale, Oldham & District Samaritans great start to 50th anniversary year

Oldham Metro Rotary Club donate £500 to Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans

Rochdale, Oldham & District Samaritans has had a great start to its 50th anniversary year, thanks to Oldham Metro Rotary Club donating Christmas Carol Concert proceeds of £500 to the charity’s funds.

James McCready, from the Samaritans, expressed thanks on behalf of all the volunteers at the branch, he said: “The carol concert was a superb night, it was lovely to hear the brass bands and choirs of local schools who gave fabulous performances of all the Christmas favourites. It is lovely when the local community can come together, enjoy a terrific night out, and in so doing, raise much needed funds for an important cause. The money donated will be used to help run the Samaritan’s 24-hour services within the local area.”

The Samaritans began supporting the local communities of Rochdale, Oldham and beyond on the 1 March 1967 from offices in Lord Street (now demolished), providing emotional support to people in distress, despair and those with thoughts or intention of suicide. This service has been continuous ever since then. Accordingly, this year Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans reach an important milestone, its Golden Anniversary.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Samaritans in the local area, Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans is hosting a range of different events throughout the year.

James added: “It would be lovely to hear from former volunteers too, and would be great if they wished to share any photographs of their time as volunteers. Volunteers past and present are the lifeblood of our organisation and are very much part of our 50th celebrations. The branch wouldn’t be here today if it were not for the efforts of volunteers over the last five decades.

“It is hard to comprehend just how many people the Samaritan volunteers from our branch have helped in this time, and it is amazing to reflect on the potential number of people who had their lives saved from suicide. It is hoped that our life-saving work will continue long into the future.”

Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans has no paid staff, and this has always been the case. In the 50 years of existence, thousands of residents of Rochdale, Oldham and beyond have freely given their time to volunteer regularly with the Samaritans to help others.