A charity at the heart of mental health support in Bath is taking part in an extreme challenge, in a team effort spanning the entire South West region of the UK.
Bath & District Samaritans is one of 13 branches that form a network of Samaritans’ support in the South West, across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Bristol, Bath – and everywhere in between.
In a special collaboration, volunteers will tackle an extreme walk across the Sahara to raise funds to be shared equally across these 13 branches – which are independent charities, and must raise their own funds every year to deliver all of their services.
From 14th to 21st November, 24 participants will undertake a 100km trek, over 5 days, across the forbidding landscape of the Sahara Desert.
They will face 7–8 hours of gruelling trekking to cover 17–25km per day, on desert plateaux and undulating sand dunes, punishing their feet over hard, rocky terrain and hot sand.
With very basic overnight camping facilities exposed to desert winds, they will face exhausting temperatures during the day and freezing temperatures at night.
Conditions will be challenging with unusual weather patterns, wildlife and the differing strengths and abilities of the group.
Maud, Co-Director of Bath & District Samaritans explains how the Challenge will raise vital funds:
““Each participant is tasked with raising £1500 in individual sponsorship which, in addition to public donations and corporate sponsorship, will be shared equally across the 13 branches and will help Samaritans reach more people needing emotional support.
Barbara, Co-Director of Bath & District Samaritans continued:
“This challenge will also help raise awareness that Samaritans is there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help the people who need us. In a fantastic team effort, spanning the whole south west region, ours is one of the 13 branches that will benefit from the funds and awareness raised and we cannot thank all of the volunteers enough for taking part.”
Regional Co-Director of Samaritans South West, Sue Wilkins, said:
“Each branch is an independently registered local charity, run entirely by volunteers, feeding into a national network of Samaritans to provide emotional support to people who are struggling to cope, including those who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts. Each year the South West region responds to thousands of people seeking emotional support by phone and online, feeding into a national network where the first available Samaritan responds. The branches also reach many thousands of people each year through proactive work within the community, raising awareness of Samaritans and helping people know where they can find support when they need it.”
Sue added: “Supporting our challenge will have far-reaching and positive outcomes. Every contact Samaritans answers is an opportunity to be there for someone at a time when they may need us most. This event will help generate vital funds to support the continued operation of these 13 charities and enable Samaritans volunteers to continue being there for people across the South West.”
You can follow the progress of the Samaritans (South West) Sahara Challenge in the lead up and during the walk on Facebook, Instagram and X #SamaritansSWSaharaChallenge.
If you would like to support the Samaritans South West Sahara Challenge, to be shared equally across the 13 South West branches visit: https://samaritanscommunity.enthuse.com/pf/saharasouthwest
For further information, contact Sue Wilkins, Regional Co-Director of Samaritans South West
Sue.Wilkins@samaritans.org / 07904 565211
The branches that make up the South West area and that will benefit from funds raised are: Bath & Bristol; Bristol; Cheltenham & District; Cornwall (Truro); Exeter Mid & East Devon; Gloucester and District; North Devon & North Cornwall; Plymouth & East Cornwall; South Devon (Torquay); Taunton & Somerset; Weston-Super-Mare; Weymouth (Dorset); and Yeovil, Sherborne & District.
