SAMARITANS

One word not mentioned below is the word beginning with S and ending in E. It is a subject too sensitive to deal with on a website that tries to cheer people up by diffusing only "good news" in these trying times. 

However, I feel compelled to record here my admiration for all the volunteers who have been working tirelessly for the Samaritans during the pandemic. Especially at the UK centres. The statistics speak for themselves. Without their 24 hour counselling service, goodness knows how many more lives would have been lost needlessly. It is a statistic that cannot be measured. But, for sure, they have saved thousands of lives. 

I know from experience what a fantastic job these unsung heroes do in normal times. But what they have achieved as the pandemic rages is quite remarkable. 

If anyone feels, like me, that we should reward the work they do by offering free accommodation in Tenerife* to allow them to unwind, please let me know. I plan to approach the organisation to discuss my ideas and make the offer official at the end of August. Anyone with any other ideas on how Samaritans might be rewarded, please let me know.

Thank you. Trevor 6/8/21

(*Either by offering B & B to indviduals or allowing couples to have an apartment for a week when it is otherwise left empty. Any time of year)

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All the articles on the other pages of this website are somehow related to bridge and/or chess players. Where those articles relate to a physical handicap of some form or other, detail is kept to the minimum to get the right balance. i.e. enough information to get the message across. but not so much information that it is not worth reading from beginning to end. Unless, that is, you are one of the afflicted - or know someone who needs help. 

Feedback since this site was set up, suggests to me that it would be a good idea to have at least one page like this. A forum where I can put information given to me by bridge and chess players. Whether it  be the contact address for a self help group in their area, or a story about how playing a mindsport helped a member of their family etc.

Any player with a helpful tale to tell on any of the following disabilities / illnesses that afflict them or another player in their club or family can send me a mail at any time via the contact page.   

The list of subjects already mentioned on this site in alphabetical order:

Alzheimer`s

Asthma

Blindness / Visually impaired

Bronchiectasis

Cancer

Cystic Fibrosis

Eczema

Immobility

Muteness (dumb / speech impediments)

Parkinsons

Socialphobia

Strokes

I look forward to hearing from you on these and other illnesses / handicaps not mentioned thus far. 

Trevor 3/3/19 - updated 6/8/21