CITY will be delighted to welcome Norwich Samaritans to Carrow Road as our Community Heroes on Tuesday night ahead of the Aston Villa game.

They will be represented by fundraising officer Chris Hargest and Nic Phillips, who will be collecting on behalf of the Samaritans.

Norwich Samaritans have been serving within the community for just over 53 years and at present they have 135 volunteers aged between 22 to 80 years old.

Chris and Nic have been Samaritans for over two years and help people who are depressed, worried or suicidal and are there for anyone who needs someone to talk too.

"Being a Samaritan is not easy but it can be very rewarding and the training we receive is very thorough," says Chris.

"We don’t advise, we listen and by asking the right questions we hope we can help the caller find a way through their problems and with the help of generous friends like Norwich City, we sincerely hope to be here for another 53 years at least."

The charity is self-funding and is dependent on fundraising efforts and donations as it costs £90,000 a year to help continue to run their branch.

Last year the Norwich branch alone answered 59,000 telephone calls, answered 15,000 emails and texts and on average has 200 face-to-face callers a year.

"It’s great to be able to support those in need, for those who are lonely and who have suicidal feelings," adds Nic.

Norwich Samaritans have many outreach days in and around Norwich, including at schools and universities. They have fundraising events spread out across the year to raise awareness of their 201 branches around the UK and Ireland, such as garden parties, running marathons and fundraising evenings.

Recently they were able to hold a bucket collection after the hit show, 'HairSpray' at the Theatre Royal which raised £400 for Norwich Samaritans.

"It’s nice that Norwich Samaritans are Community Heroes as it shows us that the issues we cover are highlighted and supported within our community," says Nic.

At every Sky Bet Championship home match, Norwich City will invite a deserving community-minded individual(s) to be their ‘Community Hero’ and place the match ball on to a special plinth prior to kick off.

Whether the individual works in the emergency services or the armed forces, is a carer or charity champion, a super fan or a regional sporting hero, the initiative celebrates their contribution to the local community.

If there is anyone you think deserves special recognition for their community efforts or personal achievements, please contact the Club via communityhero@canaries.co.uk.

CITY v ASTON VILLA: COMMUNITY HEROES

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