24/7 is Samaritans awareness day

The Samaritans have chosen tomorrow as their first awareness and fundraising day in Ireland.

The charity chose 24/7 as a reminder that it provides confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress every hour of every day all year round.

A “Samaritans car” will set out from Dublin at midnight and visit all 20 branches within 24 hours with the help of a team of drivers.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Vincent Jackson, will send the decorated vehicle on its way.

The car will be welcomed at each Samaritans branch by local dignitaries and celebrities.

The entourage will be carrying the Olympic torch, a symbol of light and hope.

A spokeman said: “In many ways, Samaritans can often seem like a light in the darkness for many who may be sad, worried or despairing because of a difficult time they are going through.

“That ’time’ could happen to anyone, at any time, and that is why Samaritans is always there, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year.”

There are 1,958 volunteers throughout Ireland, of which up to 40 are on duty at any one time to offer non-judgmental emotional support.

In other events to mark 24/7, a flag day was held in Dublin yesterday.

Singer and former Golden Globe nominee Gavin Friday also performed a cover version of the Beatles’ song Help on The Irish Tenors and Friends on RTÉ Television and spoke about his work with the Samaritans.