Samaritans pay tribute to woman who died in A27 collision

Elizabeth Wales, known as Anne Wales, 80, died after a collision on the A27 near Chichester on February 27, along with Gillian Casey, 75.

Both women were from Chichester and both volunteers for different charities.

Liz Hebden, the Bognor and Chichester Samaritans branch director, wrote: “Anne volunteered at this branch for 20 years and prior to that in Winchester. She was a

very active member of our branch and we were all shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic accident.

“Anne fulfilled a weekly shift, at all hours of the day and night, responding to those needing our help. She was passionate about our mission, that fewer people die by suicide, and the service we offer. She set high standards for herself and others.

"Anne donated thousands of hours of her time to Samaritans and many people who contacted us for help will have benefitted from her kindness and compassion. Anne had a knack of seeing where there was the greatest need and quietly responding to it.

“She led the branch well, in 2013-16, through some major and complex changes. Anne regularly coached our new volunteers and many of them have spoken of her wisdom, her kindness and how much she helped them to develop both as volunteers and as people.

"She was a regular member of our team working in schools and previously had been involved in developing our service in prisons.

“Our sympathies are with her family. We will greatly miss Anne in the branch but many people who may not even know who she was, will also miss her. It was a privilege to have known her.”