Generous Scotmid customers and staff have raised an incredible £121,000 for suicide prevention charity Samaritans over the last six months.
The amount will fund 24,200 calls from Scots who may be struggling to cope. Scotmid hopes to raise a further £180,000 to ensure the charity’s 19 branches across Scotland can keep their doors open and are able to respond to a total of 60,000 appeals for help.
The last six months have seen a number of in-store fundraising activities. Proceeds from sales of limited-edition Samaritans bags for life, ‘Brew Monday’ cupcakes and ‘Kid in the Kitchen’ joke books – sold exclusively in Scotmid stores – have all contributed to the total amount raised so far, with more fundraising events in the pipeline.
Scotmid Chief Executive John Brodie said: “To have reached such an impressive amount at the half-way stage in our year-long charity partnership with Samaritans is an achievement everybody can be proud of.
“Our staff deserve enormous credit for the fundraising activities that have already happened and there are plenty more scheduled to take place over the next six months.
“Samaritans provides an incredibly valuable service to local communities and by helping to fund an additional 60,000 appeals for help, every donation large or small has the potential to make a big difference in ensuring Samaritans can be there when it matters.”
Every year, around 700 people take their own lives in Scotland. Last year saw the first rise in Scotland’s suicide rate for six years. The charity currently receives around 300,000 calls in Scotland every year.
James Jopling, Samaritans’ Executive Director in Scotland said: “Samaritans is there for anyone struggling to cope, no matter the day or time. This partnership is so important as raises much needed funds to ensure that we can continue to be there when it matters. We are truly grateful to have had the support of Scotmid over the past six months and look forward to seeing their fundraising activities over the next six.”
