A presentation took place this week at Romford station to thank Samaritans volunteers for their recent work in helping to prevent suicides.

Greater Anglia manager Colin Macconnachie, who has responsibility for Ilford and Romford stations, presented ‘Red Letter Day’ gifts to local organisers Steve Starr, from Redbridge Samaritans and Margaret Nice, of the Havering branch.

Samaritans has been working very closely with the train company – including at Romford - in an effort to reduce suicides on the railways and support staff affected by incidents.

The local branches of the emotional support charity has recently worked with station staff throughout the boroughs of Redbridge and Havering, and during the Olympic period volunteers were present on stations offering support to railway users.

Steve said: “Greater Anglia has been very appreciative of the work that Samaritans has done locally and Margaret and I were very grateful for their acknowledgement of our efforts.

“We only hope that our presence on stations and work with station staff goes some way to reduce suicides on local stations and to encourage those who are desperate to contact us first.”

Samaritans offers non-judgemental emotional support to anyone experience distress of any kind including thoughts of suicide.

If you want to talk to Samaritans confidentially, call their national office on 08457 90 90 90, email: jo@samaritans.org, or call the Havering branch on 01708 740 000. You can also visit them at 107, North Street, Romford, but please ring ahead.