Busy year for the Samaritans MrMerrifield said that aswell as
VOLUNTEERS at the Samaritans of Maidstone centre inGrecianStreet dealt with more than 15,000 con- tacts during the year, the charity’s annual meetingwas told.
Director of the branch, Will Mer-
rifield reported that these included 12,576 by telephone, the other 2,772 being a mix of emails, texts and visitors.
The centre has a total of 79 vol-
unteers including 16 new recruits and is open every day. Samaritans provide a contact point for anyone in distress or despair to talk through their feelings and con- cerns.
Rings stolen COLD-hearted thieves broke into the home of a widower in Loose and stole the wedding and engagement rings that had belonged to his wife. The 84-year-old man, who
lives in Anglesey Avenue, was at home, possibly in the garden, when intruders entered be- tween 2.30-8.30pm. Along with the jewellery, £225 in cash was also taken. PC Tim Murrell, of Kent Po-
lice, said: “Iwould urge anyone who saw anything suspicious to contact us as soon as possi- ble.” The engagement ring is a
gold cubic zirconia ring with a crossover style and the oval wedding ring is 22 carat gold.
the work in the branch, the team supports and trains the 24 listen- ers in local prisons aswell as visit- ing centres for the homeless and those on probation.
Branch chairman Margaret Bell
told guests who included the Deputy Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Richard Thick and the Mayor and Mayoress of Tonbridge and Malling, Cllr and Mrs Howard Rogers, that it takes£55aday sim- ply to operate the branch.
Announcing the introduction of
somenewfundraising initiatives to secure the branch’s future, she
Tonbridge andMalling Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr andMrs Howard Rogers, with Samaritans branch chairman Margaret Bell and directorWill Merrifield
said there had been significant ex- penditure during the year on build- ing maintenance and this would continue for this year. The branch had a deficit of £2,038 on the year and was grateful for grants from a number of prominent charitable
trusts,somespecificproject grants from members of KCC and the ef- forts of members in the team to raise funds.
No ongoing financial support
was received from any central sources.
Bus depot cleaner lost her leg
A BUS cleaner had to have her leg amputated after stepping on a piece ofmetal at work in Maid- stone. Izzy Lloyd (49)was working at the Arriva depot
in Armstrong Road when the metal pierced her work boot and penetrated her skin. The wound became infected with flesh-eating bacteria and surgeons were forced to perform the life-saving
amputation.Medical staff told the mother she had been “four hours from death”. Speaking at a liability hearing at the Mayor’s
and City of London Court, Judge William Birtles said: “On stepping onto the floor she felt a sharp metal spike pierce her work boot and penetrate her foot. On the floor of the engineering bay where the claimant had her accident there were pieces of metal, probably pop rivets, which should have been cleaned up and were not. “The wound became infected, resulting in necrotising fasciitis to her foot and ankle.”
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Ms Lloyd, who has been unemployed since her accident in April 2010, said: “Had Arriva paid at- tention to health and safety and operated a proper cleaning policy this would have been avoided. “I have suffered ever since and had to have an amputation of my left leg in January 2013. The compensation I get from this case will help me to move on withmy life, but nothing could ever give me back the family time and lifestyle I had be- fore.” Ms Lloyd will not find out for at least another
year how much compensation she will receive from Arriva Southern Counties Ltd, but Mr Weatherby said anymoney she received would go towardshelping hertoleadasnormalalifeas possible. Arriva’s regional managing director, Heath
Williams, said: “We work hard to provide clear and safe working areas in our depots to minimise the risk of anyone hurting themselves at work.”
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