Barton upon Humber born Chad Varah - founder of Samaritans - honoured by Virgin Trains

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Monday, October 08, 2012
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Chad Varah, Barton-born founder of helpline charity The Samaritans, has had three trains named in his memory.

His daughter, Felicity Varah Harding, unveiled the engines at an event hosted by Virgin Trains.

  1. Chad Varah train

    Chad Varah's daughter Felicity, and Samaritans CEO Catherine Johnstone, with the name-plate for one of the trains.

  2. Chad Varah, Barton-born founder of The Samaritans.

    Chad Varah, Barton-born founder of The Samaritans.

Rail companies London Midland, Direct Rail Services Limited (DRS) and Network Rail joined Virgin to honour the Rev Varah, who died in 2007.

Dr Varah, who was also the co-founder of the Eagle comic, was born in the old vicarage on Beck Hill, Barton, in November 1911, the eldest of nine children of the vicar of St Peter's Church.

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He founded The Samaritans in 1953.

A magazine article about suicide provoked Dr Varah to consider how best to help people. He started off manning the phones himself but was soon joined by people wanting to help.

It was the world's first crisis hotline organisation, providing support and guidance to those contemplating suicide.

Dr Varah also pioneered teaching sex education in youth clubs, in an age when the subject was almost taboo.

The trains named after him are a Virgin Pendolino 390157, a London Midland Class 350 Desiro, and a DRS locomotive Class 57, 57302.

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