Bid to help lonely and isolated people by Northamptonshire charity worker

Charity worker David Dingley is taking on a tough challenge to help lonely and isolated older people.

David, who works for The Silver Line, covering Northamptonshire, plans to scale the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales, Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon in 24 hours.

The money raised will go to the charity he works for as a volunteer manager.

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David said: “Most older people call The Silver Line helpline at weekends and in the evenings – we’re there to help them when no one else is.

“But running the helpline, training volunteers, and the cost of all calls are paid for by donations, so raising money is constant challenge for us. That’s why I’m asking people in Northamptonshire to help by sponsoring my Three Peaks Challenge.”

David who recruits and supports volunteers for The Silver Line in Northamptonshire aims to raise enough money to pay for at least four people to be supported by the helpline and to have a Silver Line Friend for a year.

To support David Dingley go to https://www.justgiving.com/Davids3peakchallenge or go direct to The Silver Line’s website: http://www.thesilverline.org.uk/donate/

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The Silver Line helpline operates around-the-clock, 365-days-a-year, to provide information and support and receives around 10,000 calls a day from lonely and isolated older people. Founded by Dame Esther Rantzen, it offers friendship and advice, and signposts callers to other resources in their community.

The Silver Line also operates a telephone friendship scheme, where an older person is matched with a volunteer Silver Line Friend who shares their interests. They enjoy a regular weekly chat together – with many matches blossoming into real friendships. It’s free for both the volunteer and the older person.

David Dingley added: “With the growing number of callers we also need more volunteers from Northamptonshire to become Silver Line Friends.

“It just takes 30 minutes a week to chat with an isolated older person and really make a difference. To volunteer just call 0800 4 70 80 90 or go to our website www.thesilverline.org.uk “

The Silver Line Helpline number is 0800 4 70 80 90 and their website is at www.thesilverline.org.uk