The Only Way is Essex star Jasmin Walia paints the town Green

TOWIETOWIE personality Jasmin Walia is ditching the red for green in aid of the Samaritans.

Walia will join Felicity Varah Harding, daughter of Samaritans’ founder, Prebendary Dr Chad Varah CH CBE, in celebrating Samaritans’ 60th birthday, on Friday November 1st.

To mark this poignant moment in the charity’s history, two traditional red telephone boxes in the City of London will turn Samaritans’ green. On Saturday, 2 November, from 06:30-22:30hrs the BT Tower will display a message to celebrate Samaritans’ 60th birthday.

Having recently been through difficult experiences of her own, Jasmin knows just how important it is for Samaritans service to be there for people when things get too much.

I’ve been through my fair share of ups and downs and it is comforting to know that Samaritans is there, round the clock, if things get on top of me. It is amazing to think of the millions of calls they have answered over the last 60 years. People’s problems will never disappear, there will always be a need for Samaritans. – Jasmin Walia

The very first call to the helpline was answered by Chad Varah in the church of St Stephen Walbrook on the 2nd of November 1953. Since then 127,000 volunteers have answered 115 million calls for help. The organisation now has 201 branches with 20,980 volunteers across the UK and ROI.

Samaritans is Jones Lang LaSalle’s Charity of the Year, and staff from the professional services and investment management company are showing their support for the 60th birthday celebrations. Not only will they be fundraising on the streets of London, employees will be taking part in an 8 mile walk with sixty volunteers from the Central London branch, as well as donating an hours pay to the charity.

Samaritans is a fantastic charity and in today’s world, with tougher work and economic pressures and more people needing emotional support, it is up to companies like us to support the work of our charity partner and ensure we leave a legacy for their future growth. – Guy Grainger, Chief Executive of Jones Lang LaSalle

To mark Samaritans’ 60th birthday, events are taking place across the UK and ROI. People can get involved by simply texting ‘SUPPORT’ to 70123* to make a £3 donation.

Visit Samaritans’ interactive map to find out about the different events happening across the UK and Ireland to mark Samaritans’ 60th birthday: