If you’ve wondered why the fanlight window at Derbyshire’s Buxton Station has turned green for the festive period rather than NHS-blue, here’s your answer.

The Friends of Buxton Station (FoBS), a group of motivated community volunteers are working in partnership with Buxton & High Peak Samaritans and DB Cargo (UK) Limited to display a message pointing to hope and support.

Anyone struggling to cope with any personal difficulty at any time of day or night is invited to contact the local Samaritans team by using the freephone number 116 123 or emailing Jo@samaritans.org.

Dave Carlisle, FoBS chair explained: “Green is a traditional Christmas colour. It also happens to be the very same colour as the banner promoting the Samaritans’ contact number.  After a year made difficult for many by covid-19, some folk will need support as they face up to a strange Christmas – we wanted to show where to get the right kind of help.”

Jill Pearson, director of Buxton & High Peak Samaritans added: “I know our volunteers will be thrilled to see the station lit up green.  Green is the colour of hope, hopefully the public will call us on our free number to talk their feelings through after they see the light and the banner. We know Christmas will be tougher than ever this year for everyone, so it will be a beacon of hope in the darkness.”

Kathryn Oldale, head of strategy, policy and communications, DB Cargo UK said:  “We can all agree that 2020 hasn’t been what any of us expected. Samaritans is a lifeline to people who are struggling with what life throws at them during these difficult times. As our chosen charity for DB Cargo UK’s corporate partnership, we support the tremendous work they provide to our railway industry colleagues and the wider UK population. We are proud to be able to support this initiative in Buxton for such a worthwhile cause.”