Happy Creative and Octego 
support ‘Pay for a Day’ appeal

The ‘Pay for Day’ appeal encourages local businesses to support the cost of running the branch for one day or more if they choose. The campaign, kick-started by Octego, who sponsored the first day of the campaign, contributes towards daily operating costs, including ongoing training for volunteers and the provision of their free call service.

Speaking about the sponsorship Karen Lambert, Chief Happy, commented: “Mental wellbeing is very close to my heart. It’s good to see awareness of mental health rising in our society and in our workplaces; how a person thinks and feels, in my opinion, is just as important as their physical health.
“We’re delighted to support the campaign and thank The Samaritans for providing such a valuable service to our community.” 

Octego’s Managing Director, James Wood said: “It’s our pleasure to support such a wonderful organisation, and a group of people, that changes lives all over the UK every day”.
 
The Samaritans charity provide a vital free call service, which operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day at a cost of £147 a day. The branch relies solely on the help of local volunteers and fundraisers to help keep this service running.

 
Angie Pascoe, Director for the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Samaritans commented: “We are extremely grateful to Happy Creative and Octego for supporting our ‘Pay for a Day’ appeal.
 
“Every day our branch answers around 70 phone calls, 5 emails and 6 text from users, as well as being there for anyone who chooses to visit for a face to face.
 
“This sponsorship is vital for us to continue to have a Samaritan available for callers, whenever they need it and also contributes to initial and on-going training for our volunteers”.
 
The Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre branch, on Blackpool’s Edward Street has around 70 volunteers of all ages working for free to listen to those who find themselves in a crisis.

Volunteers do not offer advice or tell callers what to do, rather the charity provides emotional support to anyone who is struggling to cope or is in need of somewhere to explore their feelings.

For further information and to find out how you can help sponsor the Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre branch, please email blackpool.fundraising@samaritans.org