Latest news with #Samaritans
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Joy as Limpopo welcomes back initiates
The Limpopo Initiation Coordinating Committee hailed this year's initiation season as a success, despite deaths and several challenges. Jubilation is the order of the day in Limpopo as more than 500 initiation schools end their academic year in the province's five regions. Since 27 June, a total of 529 initiation schools, comprising 322 male and 208 female schools enrolled thousands of initiates in the Sekhukhune, Mopani, Waterberg, Vhembe and Capricorn districts. The schools closed on Friday evening and Saturday morning to allow initiates time to heal at home before going back to school next week. Speaking to The Citizen, chairman of the Limpopo Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee [PICC], Hosi Mudabula Chauke, hailed this year's initiation season a success, despite deaths and several challenges. 'We have had two deaths, one in Moutse in the Dennilton area and the other in the Maake area outside Tzaneen,' said Chauke. Forced initiations Chauke reflected on 21 initiates being rushed to a local hospital in the Burgenburg area. Five were treated and discharged a few hours later, while the remaining 16 were discharged and reunited with the other initiates at the same school a few days later. 'We have also experienced botched initiation schools, which were later shut down. As if that was not enough, we have also experienced incidents where some people were abducted and initiated forcefully. 'This is a disturbing trend which is disallowed. Criminal cases were opened, the suspects were arrested and are now facing various criminal charges in different courts across the province,' said Chauke. ALSO READ: Traditional healer among three arrested for coercing initiation 'I can't believe my son is now a man' Meanwhile, thousands of parents of the initiates, relatives, schoolmates and friends are waiting with bated breath for their graduations tonight. Chickens have been slaughtered, long queues at butcheries have become the order of the day, while braai places, open spaces and sports grounds are ready to accommodate revellers to welcome the graduates. One jubilant mother from N'wamitwa in the Letsitele area, Patience Ngobeni, said she can't wait to welcome her son back home. 'I am a single mother. My husband died seven years ago. When my son went to the mountain school, I had to borrow money from good Samaritans to pay for his fees. Now he is coming back tomorrow morning and I have prepared his favourite meal. 'I can't believe my son is now a man,' she said with tears of joy sliding down her cheeks. Another resident, Phetola Lebea of Ga-Molepo, said he is throwing a party to welcome his son. 'It has been three weeks without him. But I am happy when he comes back. He will be respectful, well-mannered and responsible because they taught him well at the mountain school,' said Lebea. The Kgoshi Tshwale Initiation School of the Maeteko clan in Jokoni near Giyani outnumbers many schools in Limpopo. The school often initates around 5 000 students in one season. The chief, Norman Tshwale, promised an ocean of booze, mouthwatering meals, music, and dance during the graduation celebration at his palace in the Mopani district municipal area on Friday night. NOW READ: Deputy Minister Mathabatha goes to initiation school at age of 68
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Sligo Samaritans urging people to reach out for help as a caller inspires new campaign
Nathan Green said Samaritans 'helped me through the darkest moments' when he was struggling and going through a tough time. Last year he completed a 24-hour silence for Samaritans Awareness Day, held on July 24th to show Samaritans are there 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on freephone 116 123 or email jo@ It inspired 'Shush For Samaritans' this July – one of four 24-hour challenges for supporters to raise funds for the charity. Other challenges are for gamers, crafters and Taylors Swift fans. For details visit Funds raised will support branches across Ireland including Sligo Samaritans – who will be out and about on the streets of Sligo town on July 24th to raise awareness of the service. Nathan, 22, said: 'I was always seen as the bubbly, outgoing one - always trying to put a smile on people's faces. But that didn't mean everything was always fine behind the scenes. Like many others, I went through times when I struggled. And during those moments, Samaritans were there. 'They were the voice at the end of the phone when I felt like I had no one else. Sometimes I called in tears, other times just needing someone to listen. 'I never felt judged - only supported. Those calls helped me through the darkest moments, and looking back now, I truly believe they played a part in shaping the person I've become,' he added. Samaritans is the charity that prevents suicide through the power of human connection. Christina Farrington, Branch Director with Sligo Samaritans, said: 'Samaritans Awareness Day is such an important date for us – we want to get the message out that Samaritans are here 24 hours a day for anyone in crisis and struggling to cope on freephone 116 123. 'It remains a challenging time for many people and we want to remind the public that they are not alone. Our volunteers are here at any time of day or night, whatever they are facing. 'We also want people to support us on the 24th July when our volunteers will be out in force on the streets of Sligo for our Annual Street Collection. 'Ocean FM have kindly agreed to host their Afternoon Show (1:30-4:00pm) from O' Connell Street where a Bike-A-Thon will be taking place (sponsored by ROM). The aim is to cycle 247kms on the day to raise awareness of our 24/7 service. Thank you to the Innisfree Wheelers for supporting this event. 'Thank you to the Sligo Volunteer Centre for helping us with volunteers to do our collection on the day. We are very grateful for all the local support with sponsorship. We couldn't continue to provide our service without your generosity.'
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Robbie Williams releasing the album he wanted to after quitting Take That
Robbie Williams has reflected on his shock departure from Take That ahead of the release of Britpop, his first album of new material in nine years. The Angels singer, 51, joined the chart-topping boy band in the 1990s, alongside Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald, and Jason Orange. Take That had almost unparalleled success and left their mark on the UK charts forever, landing a whopping eight number one singles between 1993 and 1996. But the good times couldn't last, and Robbie sensationally left the group in 1995, devastating their fans so much that the Samaritans opened up a helpline. As a solo artist, Robbie came into his own almost immediately, with his 1997 debut album Life Thru a Lens going straight to number one in the UK albums chart and a cover of George Michael's Freedom becoming a hit. He's now revealed that upcoming studio release Britpop is closer in style to 'the album he wanted to make' upon leaving the group, which he appears to think didn't go far enough. Ahead of the release of his new single Spies, he said: '[With Britpop] I set out to create the album that I wanted to write and release after I left Take That in 1995. It was the peak of Britpop and a golden age for British music. 'The new record is raw, there are more guitars and it's even more upbeat and anthemic than usual. I'm immensely proud of this as a body of work and I'm excited for fans to hear this album.' The big singles from Life Thru a Lens paid tribute to the Britpop sound, with songs like Let Me Entertain You prioritising rock instrumentation over the pop ballads Take That had become known for. From there, he became one of the most recognisable faces in British pop culture and eventually had his life story turned into musical biopic film Better Man. His success as a solo artist ultimately led him back to Take That, when he briefly rejoined the reformed group for their 2010 album Progress and its subsequent tour. But it appears that despite the fast and successful start to his solo career, Robbie may have wanted things to play out a little differently behind the scenes. The Rock DJ hitmaker only left Take That after being reprimanded for partying with Gallagher brothers Liam and Noel of Oasis, of which Robbie was a huge admirer. While Life Thru a Lens featured Oasis-inspired songs, like Lazy Days and Old Before I Die, the album contained a number of softer songs too – and it seems Robbie wanted things to be louder and heavier than they were. In 2013, Robbie spoke about the album and its tour to BBC Radio 4's Mastertapes series, saying: 'I'm a cabaret artist. For about five minutes in 1997 I wished to be [Radiohead singer] Thom Yorke and Liam Gallagher. More Trending It was ultimately the ballad Angels that became the biggest hit from the album, catapulting Robbie to international fame after its release as a single in late 1997. However, it would take until his second album, I've Been Expecting You, for Robbie to land his first number one, with 1998 single Millennium – the song was co-written by Robbie's frequent collaborator Guy Chambers. While I've Been Expecting You again acknowledged the Britpop sound of Oasis, the album's sound prioritised more pop-oriented instrumentation after the success of Angels. Robbie's album Britpop releases on October 10, 2025. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Story about Kiss Cam Guy has taken a bizarre twist with a dash of denial MORE: Steamiest 90s erotic film confirmed for 'unnecessary' reboot with a twist MORE: Bob Vylan singer slams Damon Albarn as 'out of touch' after Glastonbury criticism
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
Woman's body found floating in Hudson River, possibly same person who vanished in waterway a day earlier: cops
A woman's body was found floating in the Hudson River off Lower Manhattan late Wednesday – and cops are investigating whether she is the same person who vanished into the waterway a day earlier, despite the life-saving efforts of good Samaritans, authorities said. The yet-unidentified woman was discovered floating in the river, just off Canal and West streets, around 7:50 p.m., police said. The department's Harbor Unit responded and removed her from the water, and she was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS workers. 3 An unidentified woman was found floating in the Hudson River, just off Canal and West streets, around 7:50 p.m. Wednesday, police said. William C Lopez/New York Post 3 A day earlier, a woman jumped into the Hudson in the same area — but could not be saved despite the best efforts of Good Samaritans, cops said. William Farrington Investigators are probing whether the woman is the same person who jumped into the Hudson from the nearby Pier 34 around 10 a.m. Tuesday, police said. Two men jumped into the water in an attempt to save her, but were unsuccessful, cops said. 3 Police are investigating whether the body recovered from the Hudson is in fact that of the woman who jumped in a day earlier. William Farrington The woman, believed to be between 30 and 40 years old, never resurfaced and both the Harbor Unit and the FDNY were searching for her, police said. The investigation surrounding the woman pulled from the water Wednesday remains ongoing, cops said.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Wexford dairy farmer to run four marathons in four days
After previously fundraising for national charities by taking on Dublin and Waterford Marathons, Ferns resident Kenneth was motivated to select a local concern this year after learning about the vital work undertaken by Arklow-based East Coast Samaritans from his mother-in-law Olive, a long-serving volunteer with the charity. The Sliabh Buidhe Rovers Athletic Club member had already been plotting a grand adventure for 2025, and had set his sights on the ultra-challenging Quadrathon, a test of endurance that will see Kenneth run a separate route every day, completing a single 105-mile loop over four days, through hills, mountains and along coastal roads around Inishowen and the Wild Atlantic Way. Diligently preparing for the challenge, Kenneth said he feels an immense sense of pride to be raising funds for a local cause that is so close to his heart, adding that seeing donations come in will give him all the fuel he needs to push through the pain barrier. 'My mother-in-law, Olive, does volunteer work for East Coast Samaritans, answering calls at night, and after speaking to her and learning that they are the only Samaritans branch in the country who have to pay rent, I knew I had to fundraise for them,' Kenneth began. 'I usually raise money for the big, national charities, but when Olive told me about the great work that East Coast Samaritans do, and the fact that it's local, helping local people that are going through a bad time with their mental health, that clinched it for me. 'I suppose, like a lot of other people, you get into running for your mental health. It has helped me so much. So, for me to actually help raise money for a mental health charity, and maybe inspire others to take up running, exercise or getting outdoors for their mental health, that's massive for me. 'I've had a good few donations already, with some from friends and some from people I wouldn't even know, and I'll be giving updates every day during the Quadrathon – hopefully the donations will keep coming in,' he added. 'I know, when I'm up there running in the hills, just thinking about donations coming in and the difference that might make to someone's life will keep me going.' Unlike flat marathon courses, extreme north races require a little more endurance, with runners flocking to Donegal on August 14 encouraged to allow an extra 10pc on their normal marathon time to account for elevation and back-to-back runs. Having recently recovered from a lower back injury that cause bad sciatica, Kenneth has kicked into overdrive to prepare his body for the rigors of the challenge, ascending peaks like Sliabh Buí and seeking out mountainous terrain wherever he can find it as part of his pre-Quadrathon training regime. 'I am always up for a challenge, and I usually do the Dublin Marathon, and I was trying to get a sub-three-hour time, which I was delighted to get in Amsterdam,' Kenneth said. 'I came across the Quadrathon after I was scrolling through Facebook and saw that someone from the Wexford Marathon Club had done four marathons. So, I started researching it, and thought I'd love to do that. 'I applied for it, but then got unlucky when I got injured and had very bad sciatica. I was trying to work and couldn't really train, so I just did a bit of gym instead. I kept working at it, and I started back cycling. 'Now I'm back running, and things are going well. 'I've been doing a good few races just to get up to speed, and a lot of my long runs are hilly, because the marathons I'll be doing in Donegal are not like Waterford or Dublin,' he continued. 'They're up in the hills along the Atlantic Way and you could be climbing for two miles, so you have to prepare the body for that. 'I did the Glendalough Lap of the Gap Marathon last year, which was a challenging one because it's very hilly, but it was good practice. 'You're running four marathons, so you need to be able for that high mileage and basically get the body used to being under pressure and running on tired legs. Even if I was going for a recovery run, I'll find a few hills to go up, just to keep the body under pressure. 'It's nice to have something to work towards, and it's a challenge for me, which I love – so it's a win-win.' You can support Kenneth via
