A SAMARITANS listening volunteer will visit the Isle of Wight on Monday (April 12) as part of an epic walk around the UK and Ireland, visiting all 201 of the charity’s branches.

David Matthews, a volunteer in Doncaster, hatched the plan several years ago when in charge of fundraising at his local branch.

He said: “I thought I should do something to raise funds, so I started with the idea of walking to all the branches in Yorkshire.

"Although it seemed a daunting prospect, it went smoothly and I realised I could do more – so the idea grew from there.”

In April 2019, David set out on his epic tour, encompassing all Samaritans branches from Lerwick in the Shetland Isles to Truro in Cornwall, and including branches in Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Undaunted by the turbulent influence of Covid in 2020, he continued his project whenever he could, and aims to complete the journey by Christmas this year – some two years and eight months after he set out.

He added: “It’s been an eventful adventure but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Sometimes, in the middle of winter, in the rain and snow, you wonder ‘What on earth am I doing?’, but then somebody will walk or drive past and stop and talk.

"They always say how much they appreciate Samaritans, and many of them tell me about a time when we helped them get through.”

Impressed by David’s grit and determination, and the support the Samaritans provides for people with emotional difficulties or suicidal feelings, supporters have so far donated over £12,000 to the charity.

David’s progress can be followed on his website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Donations to Samaritans can be made through the Virgin Money website.