Chad Varah, the founder of the Samaritans helpline, which expanded into a worldwide organisation, died peacefully yesterday, aged 95.

The Prince of Wales led tributes to Dr Varah, who launched the Samaritans from the crypt of St Luke’s Church in London more than 50 years ago.

Prince Charles, who is the patron of the Samaritans, said that Dr Varah was an “utterly remarkable man” whose organisation had “saved the lives of countless people since 1953. He was an outstanding humanitarian and a great Briton”.

The clergyman died in hospital in Basingstoke, a spokesman confirmed.

Dr Varah founded the charity in 1953 “to befriend the suicidal and despairing” after conducting the funeral of a 13-year-old girl who had killed herself. Uneducated about sex, she thought her first period was the symptom of a sexually transmitted disease and that she would die a painful and shameful death.

Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said: “His instinct that a listening and sympathetic ear could make a difference has proved to be enormously important to those who felt alone and with nowhere to turn to.

“His vision and energy in the foundation of the Samaritans and its subsequent development is a legacy that stretches far beyond the Church and far beyond these shores; one that will continue to bring help to those who ‘Just need someone to talk to’. He will be greatly missed.”

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