We love a good cause, which is why Archipelago Choice is helping David Matthews MBE raise £50,000 for the Samaritans. For the second time, David is setting off on a walk that could take him a year to complete. His challenge is to visit every Samaritans office across the British Isles to raise awareness and funds. He calls it ‘the listening walk’ because that is what the Samaritans do; they provide trained volunteers to who are there to listen when a person is in need and is brave enough to make that call.
I first met David in May 2015 on one of our many visits to the Knoydart peninsula, on the west coast of Scotland. Knoydart is one of those places that attracts a certain kind of person; self-assured and confident free-spirited people where the mould life has set out for us, doesn’t quite fit. David is one of those people you can’t help warming to, his engaging Northeastern charm disarms and leaves you feeling like everything will be OK.
Born in Darlington in 1961, David’s life has been an eclectic one of work, mature learning, theatre studies and performances, marriage with life on a smallholding and for the past 10 years immersing himself in the life of the Knoydart community.
Earlier this year we were sitting outside his small cottage in Knoydart drinking tea and eating vegan biscuits (David’s been vegan since 1988) talking about his latest venture. To walk 6100 miles and visit every Samaritans office in British Isles and Ireland. Sounds crazy, yet this will be the second time David has undertaken this challenge so in reality he’ll have walked 12,000miles!
In 2025 David was awarded an MBE for services to the Samaritans by King Charles
The seed for this undertaking is a result of David’s 15 years as a volunteer with the Samaritans, a charity, who’s sole purpose is to listen to those who are in crisis or feeling suicidal. Increasingly, we’re seeing more and more people struggling with their mental health, with suicide being the biggest killer of men under 35 and over 50.
The world we live in feels increasing disconnected and for many, lonely and void of purpose. We can all, at times, feel the weight of life, which is why, at Archipelago we’re so focused on people. Our employees, their families, the people we work with and those who travel with us. Hence, when I was talking to David in May, I felt it would be a great thing to help support him on this challenge.
When David started his first walk in 2019, he raised approximately £25,000 and had to fund and plan his whole journey himself. This time, we’ve got his back and will be helping with raising his profile as he walks around the country through marketing and PR campaigns, we’ll pay for some of his transport on the days where he must cross water and sponsor him 50p a mile walked.
We’d like to help David raise £50,000 on his 304-day, 6100-mile walk visiting all 201 Samaritans branches in the British Isles (including Ireland).
Each week we’ll give an update in David’s progress at the bottom of out weekly newsletters and via our Social Media.
How can you help?
- Donate: https://samaritanscommunity.enthuse.com/pf/david-matthews
- Join David if he’s passing through where you live (we’ll publish a list on where he should be and when on the Archipelago Choice website).
- Offer David a room for the night and cook a hearty vegan meal
- Tell your family and friends
- Follow his journey: https://www.facebook.com/over6000miles
