Bullied “Wimbledon” actress backs call to action

People across the UK are backing Samaritans’ 24:7 campaign - and the ‘call to action’ is backed by hit UK film “Wimbledon” actress Alexandra Hamilton - who called Samaritans as a ‘teen’ when for support after having her nose and ribs broken when she was bullied at school.

Alexandra said:” I’m right behind Samaritans’ 24:7 campaign which raises awareness of the charity’s 24-hour service and helps with funds. Samaritans helped me when I went through a tough time and needed someone just to listen and help me. I ‘phoned them twice - the second time even my Mum, who is my best friend, put the ‘phone next to me on the bed, because she understood I needed to call them and talk to them.

“I would encourage children and teenagers who are bullied to get in touch with Samaritans and to talk to someone about their problems - sooner rather than later. “

Alexandra’s experience of bullying occurred when she was studying for her GCSE A levels at 16 years of age.

She said: “Throughout my years at High School in Worcestershire I was the victim of bullying - physical and mental.

“This was possibly due to me being involved in theatre from an early age both in and outside school and having my picture up at school. I also had very long blonde hair which girls first used to pull - they’d call me ‘Barbie’ from when I was about 13 - and then they began cutting it off.

“Even though I was one of the lucky ones, having my family’s complete support, I still blamed myself and felt worthless and alone.

“After receiving threatening phone calls, I was cornered in town by two girls and attacked and had my nose broken. I was back at school within only a couple of days and had to be escorted in and out of my exams for my own safety. At no time through all this did I cry. I put up an emotional ‘brick wall’ to everything and refused to ‘give in’. I took my exams and passed 10 GCSE’s at A grades. Through all this we were receiving death threats by ‘phone at home. I was still insisting I didn’t need any help. The girl who had attacked me was taken to court.

“Having gone back to school, girls attacked a friend of mine and I went to intervene and received broken ribs this time. On this occasion Victim Support urged me to ‘phone Samaritans for some emotional support.

“I remember I ‘phoned Samaritans in the evening and spoke to a woman who was clearly older than me as I was just 16 - I found this quite comforting. All that I did though, was to say that I needed someone to talk to and then I cried almost non-stop for about an hour. It was an emotional release after years of keeping everything locked inside me.

“Just speaking to someone who didn’t judge but understood and let me cry, something I’d tried my hardest not to do, gradually allowed me to feel more in control and grow in self confidence.

“I called Samaritans again when I heard a lot of girls at school ‘bitching’ about me at school after we’d done our exams. I had just had enough. I came home and went to my room and wouldn’t talk to my mum about it - although my mum’s great and more like my best friend. She understood the situation so well and just put the ‘phone next to me so that I could call Samaritans alone. I did and on that occasion just chatted generally, again to a woman about school, whether I would go back to school, what my plans were for the future and my hopes in general. I didn’t really talk about the bullying as such but talking just really helped me lose that tension.”

Alexandra, now 26, studied at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York where Danny DeVito, Kim Cattrall and Adrien Brody also learned the trade. She landed several roles on Broadway including The Diary of Anne Frank and the musical Spellbound. Alexandra is currently auditioning in Australia.

The number of 24:7 events already organised - with several weeks still to go before Samaritans flag-day of July 24th - are heading towards the century figure.

Check out the 24:7 Samaritans’ web-site at www.samaritans247.org to see where your local 24:7events are being held.

And there’s still time to get your own ‘fun and funds’ event planned before July 24th - and get some great ideas by ordering Samaritans’ fundraising goodie pack on 0208 394 8393.

You can email [email protected] or check Samaritans web-site to help Samaritans continue their vital emotional support, round-the-clock, by phone, e-mail, letter, face to face and text.

Specially designed Samaritans’ 24:7 moneyboxes are now being distributed to help with collections.

Dominic Rudd, chief executive with Samaritans said " I hope that you will remember your 24:7 event as being fun, enjoyable and above all, fruitful. Thanks to all volunteers, staff and supporters who are getting behind this campaign and raising the profile of Samaritans to ensure we reach those that need us."

Fundraising and awareness events planned both by Samaritans volunteers and supporters already include: -

• Capital FM to raise awareness on July 24th - linked to Samaritans Central London Branch.

• Harrow fire-walk over hot coals

• 24:7 window display in Bradford Outfit store

• Collecting at SW railway stations including Walton-on-Thames

• Anticipated sleepover at Birmingham science museum with “wall of feelings”

• Cricket club to visit every cricket ground in Shropshire to raise funds

• 24 players running 7 hoops at Chester croquet club

• Norwich branch selling Samaritans’ Rose

Samaritans was the first 24 hour helpline to be set up in the UK and now also offers e-mail, face to face and correspondence support. Samaritans volunteers cover 482 phone telephone help-lines 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week, 365 days-a-year. Samaritans has now launched a SMS text service which received 170,000 texts for support last year, mainly from younger people. Samaritans phone lines are busiest between 10.00p.m and 2.00a.m in the morning. Samaritans has received calls from people as young as six and as old as 90 in the course of its 53 year-old history.