Befrienders centers work to reduce suicide worldwide with 31,000 volunteers in almost 40 countries
It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of our Founder, Dr Chad Varah, CH, CBE, MA Oxon., aged 95 on Thursday 8th November 2007. Dr Varah died peacefully in his sleep earlier this evening.
"My father always spoke of Samaritans Volunteers as the most incredible group of people ¬- unsung heroes, whose commitment and dedication is the lifeblood of the Organisation" - said the late Michael Varah, Chad's eldest son and Trustee of Samaritans. "They are my father's legacy".
Chad Varah with the original Samaritans telephone
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Felicity Varah, Chad's eldest child, comments: "Thanks to my father, Samaritans has been working for over 50 years, providing confidential, emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. His relationship with Samaritans had many chapters, from the moment he founded it in his beloved Church, St Stephen Walbrook in 1953, through its expansion worldwide, to the latter years when he stepped back to allow the movement to grow and flourish".
Chad retained a watchful eye over Samaritans even after his retirement. As recently as Summer 2007, he had a particularly happy meeting with the Chief Executive, Dominic Rudd, and Chairman hearing about all those people who continue his original, enlightened and essential work - of active listening - providing support to people living through emotionally difficult times.
Steve Evans, Chair of Samaritans, adds, "It was Chad's inspiration and untiring determination that created Samaritans. In 54 years, his founding work has helped literally millions of people, throughout the UK, the Republic of Ireland and around the world through Befrienders Worldwide, a global extension of the supportive spirit of Samaritans. It is our honour and determination to carry on his extraordinary work in the way he would have liked."
Dominic Rudd, Chief Executive, Samaritans says: "Chad was quite simply an extraordinary man, and his legacy is a strengthened Samaritans which seeks to make emotional health part of everyday conversation. We have some way to go before we achieve that, but in the meantime, Samaritans believes that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feelings. Chad's vision - of a society in which people are able to explore their feelings without fear or prejudice, in turn respecting the feelings of others - has touched millions of people in the 54 years since we started to offer emotional support."
The Life and Work of Chad Varah
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Contribute to the ongoing work of Samaritans in memory of Chad Varah
Information for journalists
Contact: Rebecca SeedhouseTel: +44 (0)20 8394 8300
Out of hours press contact: +44 (0)7943 809 162 or +44 (0)7931 544 566
Email: r.seedhouse@samaritans.org
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