A CHARITY that helps people in crisis has celebrated its 60th birthday.

Samaritans was set up in 1953, with the first call taken by charity’s founder, Prebendary Dr Chad Varah.

Samaritans was the first 24-hour telephone helpline in the world, and has answered over 115 million calls for help since it took its first call in 1953.

The charity now has 20,980 volunteers across the UK and ROI who answer more than five million calls every year.

Last year, a call to the service was made every six seconds

As part of a series of national events, Samaritans Haverfordwest marked the charity’s diamond anniversary by visiting Morrisons supermarket in Haverfordwest on Wednesday, November 13.

Samaritans’ Haverfordwest Branch opened in 1976 and quickly became part of the local community and it is now one of the town’s biggest and oldest charities, with around 30 listening volunteers and more working in the Samaritans shop at the top of Market Street.

Last year, the Haverfordwest branch answered 10,930 calls for help.

Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year.

It provides a safe place for anyone struggling to cope, whoever they are, however they feel, whatever life has done to them.

Call 08457 90 90 90 (UK) 1850 60 90 90 (ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find details of the nearest branch.

You can also visit the local Haverfordwest Branch at 1 Albert Street for face to face support. The local helpline number is 01437 766699.