More than 130 million calls for help over past 70 years

Over the past 70 years The Samaritans have answered more than 134 million calls for help.

- 

From the start, the power of volunteers - to listen confidentially and without judgment - has been at the heart of the charity's service, helping those who are struggling to cope.

The first call to a pioneering helpline for people thinking about suicide was made on November 2, 1953. Founded in a backroom in London, the helpline was initially known as '999 for the suicidal'.