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Saturday 26 May RNW - NEWS AND ANALYSIS FROM THE NETHERLANDS IN 10 LANGUAGES, WORLDWIDE 24/7 ON RADIO, TV AND ONLINE
Don Ritchie and his wife Moya
The State Were In's picture
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Sydney,
Sydney,

The pensioner who's prevented over 160 suicides

Published on : 1 December 2010 - 3:32pm | By The State We're In . (Photo: Ian Woolf)
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For almost 50 years, Don Ritchie has lived across the street from Australia’s most notorious suicide spot, known locally as 'The Gap', near Sydney.

From his bedroom window, Don can see people as they’re considering jumping. So he walks over to them and gently asks them if they’d like a cup of tea back at his home. To date, Don has saved at least 160 lives.

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This story was taken from the latest edition of The State We're In - The kindness of strangers.
 
Click on image for slideshow

  • Don Ritchie has prevented at least 160 suicides at &#039;The Gap&#039; near Sydney, Australia<br>&copy; Photo: Ian Woolf - http://www.ianwoolf.com/
  • Don Ritchie and his wife Moya<br>&copy; Photo: Ian Woolf - http://www.ianwoolf.com/
  • Australia’s most notorious suicide spot, known locally as &#039;The Gap&#039;, near Sydney<br>&copy; Photo: Ian Woolf - http://www.ianwoolf.com/
  • Sign at The Gap<br>&copy; Photo: Ian Woolf - http://www.ianwoolf.com/
  • View from the top of The Gap<br>&copy; Photo: Ian Woolf - http://www.ianwoolf.com/
  • An anonymous artistic expression of gratitude for Don Ritchie<br>&copy; Photo: Ian Woolf - http://www.ianwoolf.com/

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