Dear Marietta,
Thinking back after all these years, there are odd phrases you gave me “the power of the pen is mighty”, your advise for me to write a letter to my teachers, telling them all what happening at school, was the best thing that happened to me. How many other children’s lives did you also help and improve. I will never know. How you never patronised me and always helped give me a boost even at the worst moments of my young life. Thank you.

Dear Marietta,
Thank you for helping me understand that I was not alone in being bullied at school, listening to me and helping me work through my thoughts, feelings and worries. Looking back, I was I would have known then what I know now. Your advise. Guidance. Strength and support helped me beyond measure and helped me become the man I am today. Your kindness still stays with me to this day.

Dear Marietta,
I remember the very first call I made. It was a Wednesday evening in the early 1990’s, it was 8:30pm and I knew I had until 10pm until my mom arrived home from work and begin drinking. Even early on on my life I knew my mom was an alcoholic. I dialled the number, it was engaged. I dialled again….. Hello, I said. I need to talk to someone. Thank you for picking up the phone that evening.

Dear Marietta,
I remember the first time I heard the jingle for #Childline - I never thought would need it. I remember Esther Rantzen talking about how Childline was set up for Children to have a safe place to talk to someone in their time of need. I can’t believe that you were there for me and listened to me for the first time in my young life. You may never know how much of a positive impact you had on me. Then, or right through to today.

Dear Marietta,
It’s been over 30 years since we spoke. I don’t know if you remember me. I know I will never forget you for the rest of my life and cannot thank you enough for being there for me during my childhood. Although we never met and only ever spoke on the phone. Thank you. You saved me. #DearMarietta