Walk held in Athlone to raise awareness of Samaritans' service

A walk took place in Athlone last weekend in order to raise awareness of the support service provided by volunteers with the Samaritans in the Midlands.

The local walk, which marked Samaritans Awareness Day, took place on Sunday afternoon. Participants departed from the Obelisk Monument in Burgess Park and finished at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel.

The aim of the walk was to remind people that the Samaritans phone line operates on a 24/7 basis and is a free and confidential service with volunteers who are available to listen to anyone who is struggling.

"It doesn't matter how great or small the problems feel, our volunteers are here at any time of day or night, whatever they are facing," a spokesperson from Athlone and Midlands Samaritans said recently.

The service can be reached at any time at the freephone number: 116 123, or by emailing: jo@samaritans.ie