The Samaritans National Walk took place at Penzance recently when 160 walkers from as far afield as Great Yarmouth, the Home Counties, Sussex, Shropshire, Tyne and Wear and Yorkshire came together.

The event was hosted by Cornwall Samaritans, a first for them and proved to be a great success, with over £ 9,000 being raised for branch funds.

Despite the weather being wet and foggy on Friday and then again on Sunday, the sun came out on Saturday for the walk itself, which stretched from Penzance, with its stunning views of Mount’s Bay, St Michael’s Mount and the Cornish coastline, along to St Ives.

The walk was organised over the last year and involved lots of volunteers pulling together and organising route plans, sponsorship, publicity, first aid and planning to make the event a success.

Branch director at Truro branch Gill Pipkin said: “I am immensely proud of the whole branch. From the dedication of the team organising it who walked every inch of the route several times, timed the ‘legs’ to the minute and drew up excellent instructions and signs, to the army of volunteers and their families who baked cakes, sold raffle tickets and turned up on the day to man the checkpoints and welcome visitors from around the country. Thanks must also go to our venue, Penwith College and the staffs’ help and support."

Cornwall Samaritans is one of the busiest in the country with about 120 volunteers. “We are always looking for new volunteers for our friendly busy branch,” added Gill. For further details of the group's next introductory evening email trurosamsrecruit@gmail.com or call 07719 656966.