THE Samaritans of North East Wales celebrated its 50th anniversary.

This was held at Rhyl Rugby Club earlier this month. Current volunteers mixed with former directors and other helpers who have supported the branch over the years.

Rhyl Journal: Rhyl Deputy Mayor, councillor Cheryl Williams, addressing the Rhyl Samaritans at their 50th AnniversaryRhyl Deputy Mayor, councillor Cheryl Williams, addressing the Rhyl Samaritans at their 50th Anniversary (Image: Submitted)
During the evening Rufus Adams, the first Deputy Director of the Branch, spoke about its early years and how it had, at that time, been the only branch in North Wales.

The Rhyl Branch is one of 201 branches throughout the UK and Ireland whose aim is to reduce the number of suicides by giving emotional support over the phone or by email to callers who feel that they need to talk, in confidence, about something that is worrying them. The volunteers all have special training classes before they are able to speak to callers.

Dafydd Rees Owen, a deputy director, made a presentation on the night to the current director, Caz Armstrong, who was retiring after being in charge of the branch for the past four years.