Purpl is a company built by disabled people for disabled people, so we understand the complex barriers and needs that affect the disabled community. One thing that can impact all people is loneliness, especially at Christmas. We’d like to invite Purpl members to join our private members facebook group, where you can meet like-minded people and chat about everything from your favourite brands through to the difficulties of life with disability. If you need more support over Christmas, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123.

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Reverend and the Makers

With the festive season often highlighting loneliness, Reverend & The Makers are using the Christmas single ‘Late Night Phone Call’ to help the Samaritans, a cause close to singer Jon McClure’s heart. Since 2020, he’s hosted one-on-one Christmas Day online shows for fans spending the holiday alone. This year, the band aims to go further by raising funds and awareness for the charity.

“Christmas can be a tough time for a lot of people, and that’s why the Samaritans’ work is so important,” said McClure. “Every year, I try to connect with people who might be struggling by doing one-on-one Zoom calls on Christmas Day, but this year, I wanted to go further… We’re trying to make a difference for a cause that matters so much. This is about raising money and awareness while also bringing people together through music and community.”

The track’s heartfelt music video was executive produced by Jonathan Buttrell, known for directing the award-winning Everybody’s Talking About Jamie stage musical and film.

‘Life Changing and Life Saving’

Julie Bentley, CEO of Samaritans, said: “Jon’s late night phone call led to a happy, life-changing event with his marriage to Laura and for many people, phoning Samaritans can be just as life-changing, even life-saving.

“Sadly, loneliness is one of the most common concerns we hear about, particularly during the festive season but, unlike Jon, no one should worry about waking our volunteers up with a late night phone call, they are here 24/7, even on Christmas day, to help anyone struggling with their mental wellbeing.

“Personally, I would like to say a huge thank you to Reverend and the Makers for choosing to raise awareness of Samaritans services via their new single. Our winter campaign this year is all about Breaking the Silence and I’ve no doubt Late Night Phone Call will help people do just that, so I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that it makes it all the way to Christmas number one.”

About Samaritans

• Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help.
• In 2023, Samaritans volunteers spent more than 900,000 hours responding to calls for help.
• Samaritans has more than 200 branches and locations across the UK and Ireland.
• Around 23,000 people volunteered their time for Samaritans last year.
• Anyone can contact Samaritans FREE any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. This number won’t show up on your phone bill.
• Or you can visit the Samaritans website here.
• Samaritans is a charity and it’s the public’s kind donations and 23,000 volunteers that mean we are always there for anyone struggling to cope. Find out how you can support us or volunteer with us.  
• You can follow Samaritans on social media on X, Facebook and Instagram.  

Be Kind, Be Thoughtful, Look After Each Other

I have to say I do know Jon, and this Christmas single doesn’t surprise me at all, he is an incredibly kind and thoughtful man who goes out of his way to bring happiness to others. I have mentioned his annual Christmas Day Zoom calls, where he takes time away from his family and loved ones to make others smile. But personally, and this isn’t something I have shared before, when I spent eight weeks in hospital with Sepsis over Christmas, Jon messaged me regularly to keep my spirits up and even offered to come and visit me and play some songs on the ward! It was only due to me getting a hospital acquired infection and needing to go into isolation that scuppered this.

We can all make a difference to others, whether that is by buying the Christmas single and raising money for Samaritans, donating to your favourite charity or volunteering. But we should all remember, especially at this time of the year, that you can make a difference to people through kindness. Call in on your neighbour, phone a friend who may need support, be kind, be thoughtful and look after eachother.

If you are a fan of The Last Leg with Adam Hills, you can see Reverend and the Makers on their Christmas Special and if you’d like to see Reverend & The Makers live, they have announced they will play their biggest headline show to date at Rock N Roll Circus at Don Valley Bowl in Sheffield on 30th August 2025. You can get tickets here and contact the accessibility team by email on [email protected]

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Purpl is committed to always getting the best disabled discounts and savings for the disabled community.